The storm in a teacup over PLP spending on travel continues. Valid, constructive criticism from the opposition is essential. But the overwhelming relevant question is how does PLP spending compare with UBP spending? Did UBP Ministers travel first class or economy? Did some of the others who travelled, for instance, to Davos, pay for themselves? Hopefully in the next election these sorts of issues will be part of the platform of both parties and not race in the subtle and different hues that both sides played.

SANDERS FRITH-BROWN Warwick Reviewer took pot shots August 2, 1999 Dear Sir, I would like to comment on your review of the gala presented by the National Dance Theatre of Bermuda on July 26 at Ruth Seaton James, "Dancers' performance falls flat'', which I found entirely too negative. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but a review of this nature should have some sort of balance and perspective, which appeared to me to be lacking in reference to the local dancers, who by the way are not responsible for costumes, lighting and how many people are in the audience. The tone was snide, for instance, where your reviewer noted that it was "clearly evident'' (an extremely poor use of the English language) that the dancers "do not depend on their art to survive''.

I completely disagree that the dancing seemed under rehearsed or uncertain.

Many of the complaints were merely carping, like finding fault with the lights and costumes, without any corresponding notes on the plus side. I also did not agree with some of the costume choices and perhaps the lighting could have complemented the dances better, but Tamieca Cloud's costume choice for her solo was brilliant, as was that for the group piece by Kim Bears. To criticise the dancers for lack of a full house on a Monday night is pretty low, I don't care how well advertised it was. I am particularly sensitive to loud music, but I did not find the music particularly obtrusive -- was your reviewer sitting on the speaker? The prop manipulation in Tubular Bells, which your reviewer berated as laboured, I found smooth and ingenious -- it is a piece which I have seen several times and always enjoy.

I found the energy and attack of the dancers inspiring. Some of these pieces are works in progress. The NDTB is striving to bring a high level of technique and artistry to a tiny public, which in my humble opinion should be grateful for their efforts. As a past member of NDTB, I would also disagree that the level of dance was better 15 years ago -- it seems just the opposite to me.

The local dancers should get some sort of acknowledgement, not cheap shots like this review.

The review brought a quote to mind -- I know that I don't have it verbatim but the gist is: "As a man becomes a spy when he cannot be a soldier, so one becomes a critic when he cannot be an artist.'' CITY OF HAMILTON Govt. response was poor August 3, 1999 Dear Sir, Please allow me to support the recommendation of Dr. Clark Godwin, reflected in the newspaper on August 2, 1999, that the Bermuda Government produce its own paper in response to this British document.

In March, when the Premier described the White Paper as a non-threatening document, I challenged her comprehension of it. In response, members of the church and community chastised me for my preparedness to challenge "the Hon.

Jennifer Smith'' because she is the Premier of Bermuda. I believe the leadership that Mr. Philip Perinchief and Mr. Rolf Commissiong have given with reference to the White Paper has vindicated my criticism of the Premier on this national issue.

I believe that the White Paper is probably one of the most important political developments since the introduction of party politics and the establishment of the Bermuda Constitution. When you consider the political significance of the White Paper and the resulting impact it can have on this country and its citizens, I cannot help but pour scorn on the lack of leadership and inadequate response the Premier and the Government have given to this national issue.

I believe that there are a number of issues that we the people will need to examine as a result of our Governments insufficient response to the White Paper. The people who are likely to be most adversely affected are the have nots. I count myself in this number. I invite the Progressive Labour Party and members of the community to challenge members of Parliament on the White Paper threat that is before us.

REV. DR. LEONARD SANTUCCI Paget `Yellow car hit me' August 5, 1999 Dear Sir, On Tuesday July 27, I had an appointment at KEMH at 11 a.m. only to come out and find that a YELLOW vehicle had slammed into the drivers side of my car costing an estimate damage of $1,367.00.

A little note would have made all the difference, but I'm left to pay for something that wasn't my fault.

If your conscious is bothering you, I can be reached at 293-0183.

UNHAPPY Smith's Parish Revd.'s criticism wrong August 6, 1999 Dear Sir, This is in response to the letter written by the Rev. Dr. Leonard Santucci in today's Royal Gazette .

Rev. Santucci, you have it all wrong! In your letter to the Editor you complained about The Royal Gazette newspaper showing a picture of the Premier enjoying herself at the Crown & Anchor tables at Cup Match. You criticised the newspaper for showing, and I quote your own words, "this upstanding, Christian, God-fearing member of the AME Church engaged in an activity frowned upon by the doctrines of ... the AME Church'', of which you stated she is a member.

If the church has a problem with the Premier's action then you should be critising her, and not the newspaper which is responsible for letting the public know what is going on in this island. Maybe you should remind her that a "God-fearing'' life is meant to be followed every day. Once again we see people refusing to take responsibility for their own actions and instead trying to place the blame elsewhere.

So what if the Premier likes Crown & Anchor and drinking champagne? It just shows that she is still a regular Bermudian and human like the rest of us. So don't try to make her into someone we should all be singing praises to. She has to prove her worth before she can receive any kind of praise.

Remember, respect must be earned, not demanded! AMS Warwick Impressed with dealer August 6, 1999 The following was sent to Mr. Anthony Steede, General Manager, Bermuda Motors and copied to The Royal Gazette .

Dear Mr. Steede, I am writing this letter, with a copy to The Royal Gazette , to commend your staff on the excellent service that was given to me when I brought my car to your establishment to be serviced.

On Friday, July 24, someone threw a concrete block at the rear windscreen of my new car, (purchased second hand) thus smashing the windscreen and causing other damage. This was very upsetting to my family and myself. Since the previous owners always had the car serviced at Bermuda Motors, I thought that I would take it there to be repaired.

I went there, on Monday morning, July 26, not knowing what to expect, and I thought that I wouldn't have it repaired until well after the Cup Match holiday. What I found was truly a delight. I needed to check with the Spare Parts division to see if they had the needed parts. Mr. Kris King was truly a professional. The computers were down, and so he had to manually search for the parts which took quite a while. During the search, he offered my daughter and I a seat in the air conditioned office ( the actual store had no seats and was hot) as well as a cup of coffee and juice for my daughter. After locating the parts, Mr. Roy Gibbons and Ms Carol Hetherington very efficiently did all the paper work. Mr. Darwin Symonds (Body Shop Manager) made sure that my car was repaired quickly and the result was that my car was as good as new. I was able to collect it the next day (Tuesday) which was something that I didn't think was possible. They even asked me to bring it back on Wednesday, to clean it, as they didn't have a chance to clean it on Tuesday.

I was thoroughly impressed with the service that I received from the above people. They were kind, courteous and thorough. They helped to make an unpleasant ordeal a bit easier. On behalf of my family and myself, I would like to commend them, and a big thank you on a job well done! SHARON EDNESS Pembroke Steede ignored musicians August 2, 1999 Dear Sir, Please allow me some space in your paper to comment on the recent review written by Veejay Steede on Exotique. I have been following the band since they were the Electronic Symphony, and while I agree with most of what was said about the band, I do believe that the writer did not give enough credit to the musicians of the band. I saw the show four times! You totally ignored the fact that the bassist Rupert Hinds is in fact also one of the lead vocalists in Exotique. His raw and earnest second tenor was very effective in all of the band's reggae numbers, and he did an outstanding job on Bobby Caldwell's classic "What you won't do for Love.'' Of course his bass playing is always exciting, lyrical and committed but sometimes a bit overpowering. While I did enjoy Mr. Gober's vocals, his lack of experience on stage was obvious as he overcompensated in many areas. It is certain that he does not yet possess the total professionalism and ease displayed by Loretta.

If he stick with it, that expertise should rub off.

Ms Augustus is, in my opinion, the star of the show. A world class vocalist with personality, sauciness and abandon. Never afraid of letting her emotions show she raises the hairs on your neck and arms with her deliveries, sometimes a little predictable but always enjoyable. Funny Valentine is a winner by the way! The drummer Vernon has always been steady and competent, this time around though, I found him to be forfeiting groove and taste for power. Last but not least there is the bandleader and arranger Stefan Hinds. Stefan has always had some of the best ears on the Island. When you listen to the harmonies, the vocals, and how the arrangements complement each other, Stefan's gift is definitely in this area. He is careful, thoughtful and very clever and oh! So underestimated! Does anybody remember the excellent Promotional Concepts choir he directed? He is the heart and soul and the secret to the success of Exotique. They would not be half as good as they are without his direction.

Exotique are indeed a wonderful band to see as well as hear. If you missed them, you really missed an exciting event; they are really that good. but, they have always been a great band, we just never took the time to say it or appreciate it. Shame on us.

RETIRED MUSICIAN & ENTERTAINER Southampton Mad at new land tax August 3, 1999 Dear Sir, I believe they call it, "The International Year of the Older Person'', and it looks like the Government's contribution to this special event is to punish many of us by raising our land taxes to ridiculous heights, in my particular case, over a hundred times more than I was paying previously. Where they get their figures from makes no sense at all, it looks like they have just taken them out of a hat and stuck us with it, certainly no one has been around to check if their figures are correct or not, and looking on the internet you can find many discrepancies.

I hope nobody gets the idea of having an International Year for the Dying, the Government will no doubt slap us with a huge burial site tax, to send us on our way.

SEEING IT AS IT IS Pembroke Too much building August 4, 1999 Dear Sir, I am apparently one of the few Bermudians who are very pleased that Morgan's Point development has fallen through. It is my opinion that there is too much building going on in this Island, and it would be far better to concentrate on upgrading the present hotels, guest houses and rental cottages rather than continue to reduce what little open space we have remaining.

Regarding Island transportation in general, and the commuter traffic problem specifically, maybe a case could be made for using an area at Morgan's Point to locate major West End ferry terminal, complete with free parking to encourage more people to take the ferry to work, thereby reducing the number of vehicles coming into Hamilton. I believe the original developers had included a ferry terminal in their project. This location is ideal, as there is ample space for parking cars (I think 400 would be a conservative estimate). With the introduction of a large fast ferry, maybe a deli/coffee shop at the terminal and even provision for a beautiful park, commuting by ferry would become a very easy and enjoyable way to go to work. This could also tie in well with Mr. Charles Jeffers' mini-bus service in and around the City. Maybe the present train transport could be expanded also.

Alternatively, Morgan's Point also has the potential for the development of a Yacht Club on the north side, and all weather protection.

This then brings up the issue of parents who have to get their children to school, before them going in to work. Can a case be made for a Government School Bus System -- i.e. buses for school children only? Using the existing bus stops, well supervised school buses would pick up children and deliver them directly to the various schools in each parish and collect them in the afternoons. It could encourage more parents to let their children ride the bus to and from school and it would help to reduce the congestion that takes place at the Hamilton station. I quite frequently travel by bus from my home in Spanish Point and the service is excellent. The drivers are very polite and proficient and you get to Hamilton in 12 minutes. Why can't we get this sort of a system to work for all school children? These are a few ideas which may or may not have some merit.

S. GREET Spanish Point Don't spit out gum August 9, 1999 Dear Sir, Look down Bermuda, look at the side-walks, at the pavements, at the roads.

Why, please tell me why visitors, and locals alike spit out their gum and do not properly dispose of it.

We are really messing up our beautiful Bermuda. Why don't you make a promise to yourself never to spit out your gum again and let it land on the sidewalks, roads, but to make it a point to place it in the garbage.

It will take at least three to five years for that piece of gum to disappear.

It makes Bermuda look filthy, and not only that, we with all of the over-building that has been going on, everyone should do whatever they can to keep Bermuda clean and unpolluted.

Please don't spit out your gum on the streets anymore, throw it away and make yourself proud of your land.

I love my home Bermuda be it for now or 100 years from now.

CLEAN BERMUDA Pembroke