The truth hurts

July 20, 2010

Dear Sir,

I came to Bermuda when I was 23 years old. I am now 71 and this is my first Letter to the Editor. Last week I read in The Royal Gazette that yet another Bermudian had been "let go" by Tucker's Point, seemingly because he had questioned his superiors' decision. Keith Davis joined the ranks of many other Bermudians who had been "let go" at Tucker's Point in the last 15 months. I wonder how many staff on work permits have been "let go" in the same period.

Tucker's Point's statement (re: Mr. Davis' being "let go") included phrases like "extremely difficult economic times", "unprecedented business challenges" and "restructuring" all of which were used in the other Bermudians' termination letters. I would be inclined to think that the unprecedented business challenges were brought about by the same people who were on work permits and issued the statement or, if not, partly responsible for them.

In another release Tucker's Point stated that they remain committed to employing 240 permanent employees. It would be extremely interesting to find out how many of these permanent 240 are Bermudians, how many acre unionised workers, (and better protected), and how many are on work permits. Of even more interest would be to find out what percentage of the payroll goes to Bermudian families, what percentage goes to workers on work permits, and what percentage goes to management who hold work permits. How many Bermudians get their rent paid? Have use of Tucker's Point amenities? Can drink at any of the bars? I know I will never get an answer to any of these questions and most people know why this is. It is not to protect staff as quoted by the general manager but really because the truth hurts.

Perhaps Tucker's Point could respond by letting Bermuda know how many Bermudians have been "let go" in the last 15 months, and how many work permits have they applied for. They could also let us know how many Bermudians were "let go" by Bermudians managers and how many by those managers who hold work permits. They could also let us know how much money was saved and how much damage was caused to Tuckers Point's reputation. The saddest part of all this is that Bermudians who lose their jobs, lose not only their means of survival but know that those who got rid of them still get their inflated salaries and whistle their way to the bank. It's not right.

I actually worked at Castle Harbour/Tucker's Point for 41 years retiring in 2004. Gone are the good old days at the Castle Harbour! I write this letter because Tucker's Point is very dear to my heart and knowing that my honorary membership at Tucker's Point is in jeopardy and my visits to "the Stables" may be numbered. I think that Mr. Trippe, for whom I have the utmost respect, can still rectify the situation at Tuckers Point by making some decisions that will help to raise the morale among Bermudians. By hiring only Bermudians in the future and by rescinding many of those work permits that belong to those that care not for Bermuda or its people, care not for Tuckers Point or its history, but only care for their own personal gain. Bermudians have a stake in their own country and all of them are as hardworking as anyone who has a work permit.

Lastly I wonder what happened to the policy that newcomers should be schooled and made aware of the fact that they now reside in a country with different mores and customs? My first two weeks in Bermuda were spent getting to know Bermuda. I was told by Castle Harbour to "ride the bus", go east, go west, take in a football match, watch a cricket match, learn to be a Bermudian. It was good advice. I have no hesitation in signing my name to this letter.

DAVID RALSTON

A thank-you note

August 9, 2010

Dear Sir,

Please allow me some space in your column for a very important thank you letter. My husband died last October in an accident at work. As of that moment, my world was shattered. From that time on, my family, friends and this Island have given me strength and shown me more love than I thought possible. When it feels like this Island is falling apart at the seams, I can wholeheartedly say it is still the most amazing Island filled with very giving people. The support my daughter and I have received has come from many different places and has been in many different guises and this letter is to thank you all for your love, support and words of encouragement.

At the time of Jon's death, an Education Fund was set up by a friend of mine to help with Megan's future. For whatever reason, I have been unable to find out who had donated to this fund and I so desperately need to thank each and every person for their kindness. Your generosity amazes me and I cannot thank you enough for this amazing gift for Megan. My husband loved this Island as if it were his own and you in return have loved him back. So to each and every person my most heartfelt thanks for everything. We live in a very special place.

SAM AND MEGAN WILLIS

Pembroke

An open challenge

July 23, 2010

Dear Sir,

I find it ironic that once again a "contentious" issue in Bermuda is being made an issue of race by some people. On Dr. Brown's Facebook, I made a posting stating that I had read the Municipalities Reform Act in its entirety and I highlight the following from the proposed Act:

? The reforms are to allow all persons who are currently registered on the Parliamentary Register as residents within the City of Hamilton to vote in Corporation of Hamilton elections.

? Anyone in Bermuda, unless disqualified by the Act or any other statutory provision, will now be able to stand for election within the Corporation of Hamilton.

? The Act will cause the Corporation of Hamilton to pay land tax like every other land owner in Bermuda.

? The Corporation will no longer receive wharfage fees but will still collect taxes for property owners within the City of Hamilton.

I went on to say: "The CoH and the UBP would have you believe that this is a takeover, however, these are nothing more than scare tactics and lies and innuendos. I expected such from the CoH but the UBP wants the Bermuda electorate to know it has changed... well the lies being espoused by its party leader shows that a leopard cannot change its spots. The UBP party leader clearly does not want to anger those from whom the party receives most of its political funding... so the UBP is the same old elitist party... just goes to show how one's mouth can say anything."

From this posting the following post was made and directed at me from a Rebecca Brown: "Oh how true, one's mouth can say anything and yours in particular trotts out the same crap over and over again. I guess the answer is that when all the United Bermuda Party members are all black instead of a combination of all colours, your mouth and what comes out of it, will not be able to dish the same old white hating garbage. Keep going backwards mate... the only way that works for you and the current joke for a government."

I have to admit I was more than a little taken aback by this as I have never used race to support any of my views and opinions of politics or anything else in Bermuda, In fact, some may recall my Letter to the Editor a few years ago sternly criticising Lt. Col. Burch for his "house nigger" remarks. The use of race for political or any other advantage to me is nothing short of disgusting and it use would never receive my support.

Ms Brown seems to believe that my support of the PLP and open opposition to the UBP has something to do with the skin colour of those that represent each of these parties. Ms Brown is very much mistaken, the key reason for my opposition to the UBP can be seen in my comments above, the UBP has historically represented the more economically privileged in Bermuda and the PLP has always championed the cause of those that make up the majority of the Bermudian population. The PLP has always leaned a little left of centre on the political spectrum, where the country is more important than the individual. I would be the first to admit that as of late many of the policies and actions of the PLP have not been in line with this and for that reason I am not as pleased with the PLP as I could be but I still firmly believe that the party itself still holds to the core principals under which it was created. I do believe that the PLP had a very real opportunity to bring about balance and unity within the Bermuda society and it has missed the mark by quite some distance on this and for this the party needs to be heavily criticised.

All that being said, Ms Brown, this is an open challenge to you to evidence where I have used and/or supported the use of race to advance my positions or for use in political success. As I stated in a follow-up post to you on Facebook, I know what my parents had to endure when they first arrived to reside in Bermuda after getting married in the U.K. (my mother is white and English and my father is black and Bermudian). My mother was denied employment ONLY because she was married to a black man and my parents had their mortgage called on two occasions because my father was not afraid to speak out against the injustices in Bermuda.

My parents were denied access to properties because my father is black. Even with what my parents went through being a mixed race couple, they raised me to respect others and their opinions and views and to never use race as an excuse for anything and that is how I live my life. My success of failure has, in my opinion, nothing to do with the colour of my skin. So while you are certainly entitled to your views, your views of me when it comes to race and the use of race you are clearly barking up the wrong tree by directing your aspersions toward me and I will defend myself vehemently from such at all times. Further, I do not expect or necessarily desire an apology from you, what you think of me has no impact on my life because quite frankly I do not live my life worrying about whether or not people will like me or agree/disagree with me. I trust however, you take note that it was you, not me that brought race into the discussion that was occurring.

GUILDEN M. GILBERT Jr.

Nassau, Bahamas

Bureaucratic blues

July 26, 2010

Dear Sir,

I am a third generation Bermudian that proudly returned home after university to take advantage of the opportunities blossoming in Bermuda. Since that time I have had a rude awakening to the realities of our changing society. At first, I rode the coat tails of my Bermudian nationality into well paying, exempt company jobs. Many times it was more my Bermudian nationality than my job skills that propelled my career. I worked hard and learned from my non-Bermudian work peers but quickly realised that it was other Bermudians that created the most conflict. It was the other Bermudians that were intent upon clawing over their peers, at any cost, to make sure the promotions and benefits were theirs.

I quickly realised that my competitive nature did not involve brown nosing and changed careers. I have spent the last 12 years in customer service and it has opened my eyes to the national apathy towards a healthy work ethic. I rarely come across exceptional customer service in any industry and sadly it is least apparent in the hospitality and Government industry! Recently, I have been exposed to the exhausting bureaucracy of the Bermuda Department of Immigration. When my son was born, I proudly submitted for his passport and then it happened. I had to prove that my son, born of my womb to two Bermudian parents, in King Edward VII Memorial Hospital was Bermudian? This to me seemed incredible to ask let alone prove by documentation.

Most recently, I have been exposed to the indignation of the bureaucracy and nationalist attitudes of members representing the Department of Immigration. On one occasion, I returned from a trip with my fiance and he was not prepared with his return ticket booked. In a panic I told him to walk through the Immigration check point with me and we would deal with the consequences together. The agent barely glanced at our documents and processed us without incident. My fiance was so upset since in the past he had been subject to inquisitions and detainment even when his documents were in order!

So, we are now married and he has to suffer the indignation of seeking permission to work by our government and (indirectly) his wife! I had to write a letter "granting my spouse permission to work". Could we find some less oppressive or dignified manner to process the documenting of our spouses to work? Additionally, does it really take more than two months (so far) to rubber stamp this document? Is the Department of Immigration really going to deny our application? Not likely, so why the huge delay in processing? If the documents are submitted and complete, it should be a simple process of approval. Furthermore, I have no problem with documenting and tracking the purchases of property to non-Bermudians, but again, we are treating our spouses like second class citizens and prohibiting Bermudians who choose to be married to non-Bermudians from owning more than one property? Where else in the world is this done? So I have two or three children and I cannot by right, provide them with the one stable, true investment in their future as to purchase property in their homeland for them to inherit? Dr. Brown, do you own more than one property? Do you and your wife have a Land License?

Additionally, the process to apply for this land license is so convoluted by the Department of Immigration, that when I attempted to apply directly without the assistance of a lawyer, I was told that there is no "standard application form" and it would be best to "get my lawyer to do it". After two-and-half months, I have e-mailed Immigration, called and left messages and received not one reply to date on the status of either, my husband's spousal letter, nor land license application. In frustration, I attempted to visit the offices personally and was told that since I did not directly submit either application, I could not get any progress information on either application! Hello? I am the Bermudian applicant, seeking these government-required licenses and you cannot discuss these applications with me?

The last straw for me was when we recently returned from a family vacation. The Immigration agent was stern faced but factual. She noted that my son's passport did not have the "This person is a Bermudian" stamp in it and reminded me to get this done (which I assumed had been done when I paid the fee and processed the documents years ago!). Then the agent proceeded to give me instructions that my spouse would need to carry an original copy (with heavy emphasis on "original") of his Spousal Letter at all times whilst travelling. Not once did she make eye contact or direct her instructions to him personally. Not only is it archaic that he has to carry a piece of paper with him in this age of technology but the reference to this document being paramount to his return to his family in future was degrading. Basically equating him to a household pet that must have his license on his collar at all times!

Currently, I am truly conflicted as to whether I wish to stay in Bermuda or immigrate to my spouse's homeland. I have two Bermudian children and do not wish to deny them the right of knowing their homeland, but it is apparent that the current course of nationalist attitudes is getting extreme. When will it end? Sadly, I cannot sign this letter open and honestly with my name and proudly shout my complaints to the public for fear of repercussions on my employer or my family. So am I now a second-class citizen along with my non-Bermudian spouse held captive in fear of voicing my opinions?

DISENCHANTED BERMUDIAN

Warwick