November 23, 2005

Dear Sir,

Last night I attended a Town Hall meeting for Devonshire and Smith's. Mr. Neville Darrell answered questions about education and some of us we were shocked to learn that private schools run around $12,000 per year but the public school system costs around $16,000.

Today, I have just read a letter about not enough textbooks in the schools and want to cry. Why don't our children have textbooks? Do the young people, in public schools of this country, think that the only way they can become educated is to fail at school, get into trouble that will put them in prison and then, and only then, get the education that they are entitled to? When did our children become so without hope?

Will someone in the Government please answer these questions?

November 25, 2005

Dear Sir,

Now that we are clear on Lt. Col. David Burch's feeling towards black Bermudians who are in favour of a referendum perhaps he could clear us up on his feelings towards other groups not in agreement with his agenda.

How would he label whites for instance? How about women? And, how would he sum up homosexuals not on board with the present Government?

As a white Bermudian struggling to come to terms with the present state of our politics I can only imagine what kind of stigma the average black voter must face if they do not toe the party line with this group. If the Colonel is capable of uttering this type of filth on live radio what is he saying when it is just he and Alex Scott alone in one of our fancy, over-sized Peugeots?

It seems to me that if the Colonel really wants to help put a smile on P.'s face there may be a more discreet and less disruptive way of doing it.

DUDE

Hamilton Parish

November 22, 2005

Dear Sir,

The St. George's Foundation held our First Annual Funday Sunday on November 6, 2005 and we wish to express our appreciation to the general public for their attendance and support.

Last year we were asking a way to share our ongoing successful work as we create The World Heritage Visitors Centre at Penno's Wharf. We thought what better way then to have a party! We opened the (as yet incomplete) World Heritage Visitors Centre at Penno's Wharf in St. George's on November 5 ? and dubbed our day Funday Sunday.

A lot of fun was had by all! Children enjoyed a fun-castle, face painting, our beloved Dottie the Clown, a sandwich-making competition, a Guy Fawkes creation contest, and story telling. Adults and children enjoyed train rides, a boat ride, and our film "A Stroll Through St. George's". Adults participated in the numerous raffles and draws. Our free food and drink lasted for a few hours, and the day culminated with a bonfire and Guy Fawkes effigy burning which was tremendous.

Weather-wise we were fortunate, the sun shone all day. It was a brilliant day, in every way. We estimate that 2,500 people came along to see their World Heritage Visitors Centre and had a ton of fun whilst they were doing so. Our corporate and individual sponsors, members, supporters, suppliers, donors, volunteers, and attendees made the day possible.

It was a family-fun-filled day, which we plan to make an annual event in St. George's. We're in the process of planning a similar day in 2006 - presently scheduled for Sunday, November 5, 2006. Please mark your calendar. Given the same level of support extended to us this year, we will be able to present the people of Bermuda with a similar day next year.

The vision of The St. George's Foundation is that The World Heritage Visitors Centre will be an educational facility, serving the community in a very positive way. We are delighted to report that this vision has begun its quest to reality!

So often we hear so much of the negative aspects of our society, but this event was sheer positive energy. Without exception, everybody had a wonderful; day and enjoyed themselves immensely.

Again, we extend thanks to the people of Bermuda for your support. Please watch for Funday Sunday 2006!

BARBARA HOLMES SIMON

Funday Sunday Event Coordinator

The St. George's Foundation

November 12, 2005

Dear Sir,

On Saturday November 12, 2005 your newspaper carried the banner "Football fans fume over Premiership Blackout".

Unfortunately, that article on the very poor standards we as a community have to endure from Cablevision on an ongoing basis only touched the surface.

First of all, this nonsense regarding Cablevision cutting off the Saturday football and then blaming Fox Sports is nothing more than baloney. IF this were so, why is it that one Saturday last year a game that was scheduled on Fox for 1 p.m. was carried in Hamilton on Fox Sports and not on my Fox channel at home? But the problem with Cablevision is worse than that. Where I live in Smiths Parish, we buy from Cablevision as a package. About one month ago between the hours of 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. for an entire week, Cablevision went off every possible day.

I called and asked this lady what was wrong and she gave me all kinds of explanations and even enquired whether or not my system was wired correctly. After several calls amid some trying periods I just gave up. By that time, she had obviously given up long ago.

After interrogating me to discern whether or not I was stealing their signals, she had lost all interest when she found out I indeed happened to be one of the many unfortunate choiceless suckers in this country.

There was neither an apology from Cablevision nor a refund as promised when Renee Webb was the minister. I believe some years ago we had an opportunity to do something about the substandard performance of this virtual monopoly and we dropped the ball then.

A few short sighted people started to complain about their "Stories" not being on etc. and the government got scared and allowed this poorly-run organisation to continue to trample on the docile population of this country.

Today Saturday, the schedule suggested that the football games Scotland v USA and Trinidad and Tobago v Bahrain were to be shown. Neither game came on.

Instead we were treated to car racing from midday until ? well it is 11.50 p.m. now and except for a few 30 minutes programmes interspersed between that 12-hour period, all we had was car racing. It seems as if Cablevision is punishing us for complaining.

What's also peculiar is that at least in my case, the Fox Sports channel carries exactly what is on the preceding channel (in my case channel 52), during the period the football is not shown.

I will not go into the numerous times per week that my television freezes when I am watching something and then I have no choice but to shut it off. Also, I have noticed on numerous occasions when I changed channels in quick succession, the signal simply disappears and my television shuts down. I have done all the checks I can possibly do and was professionally informed that all of the above outlined problems originate at Cablevision.

Before I forget, there are also numerous times weekly when there are no signals whatsoever. This last malady could last for as long as 4-5 hours. In every case, I mentioned, customer relations ( if that is what it is) at Cablevision is consistent. They never say or do anything regarding the problem.

I should like to remain

DISGUSTED AT BEING TAKEN FOR AN EXPENSIVE RIDE.

Smith's Parish

November 23, 2005

Dear Sir,

I couldn't help but respond to the recent letter from Kath Bell of Paget (the same Kath Bell who had the guts to run for the PLP some years ago?).

She hit the proverbial nail on the head ? the PLP, and I do not mean all the black people in Bermuda, just these clowns at the top, simply want to show the white people who the boss is now and they will do whatever they want to get the point across.

Racist comments, arrogance, corruption, incompetence ? these are what we have running the country today.

The question is: how long will Black Bermudians allow this to go on ? If you think this is the great society that you want your kids to belong to ... revenge, arrogance, and, eventually, poverty and isolation ... then you just keep voting for the clowns!

S.L. CLEMENS

Southampton