Almost on every occasion when disputes erupt in various areas of community life, the root cause is usually traced to poor communication, leaving too many in the dark on various facts involved.

The dilemma between the Hamilton Corporation and residents and owners of various establishments on Ewing Street, over plans to remove trees as part of a development scheme by the Corporation, would never have escalated into an open protest, if at every step of the way the residents were fully involved.

Even if the Corporation scheme was well thought out by technical staff, the people who actually live and work in the area, are entitled to express their concerns.

The bold stand by residents to block bulldozers from removing the trees did not appear to have a tone of anyone attempting to create civic disorder.

The protesters were simply questioning the wisdom of such a move, especially in light of overall efforts to preserve of natural greenery throughout the Island, as much as possible. Whether removal of the trees would benefit that community or not, the subject needed full discussion to avoid residents feeling dictated to.

Walton Brown intervened, calling for a 24 hour cooling-off period, to allow the courts to assess the situation.

Chief Justice Ian Kawaley, after hearing an application from two businessmen in the area, ordered a temporary stay in the uprooting of the trees, which should provide an opportunity to have the entire matter examined fully.

Very good communication from the start might have prevented the unpleasant scenes when residents, and supporters, were forced to make their views known by expressing themselves in front of bulldozers. Not quite the Bermudian way of solving problems.

Poor communication seems to be prevalent in so many situations, and it’s difficult not to conclude that the frequent problems with tourists being stranded at various locations, is a direct result of confusion and a lack coordination between groups involved in transportation.

It is perfectly understandable that the occasional mix-up in arrangements can happen. However, these mix-ups happen all too frequently, and with tourism officials scrambling to boost tourism in Bermuda, the last thing they need are disgruntled visitors unable to see the Island properly after spending hard earned dollars to get here.

An unhappy visitor for whatever reason, is not the kind of person to spread the positive qualities Bermuda has to offer.

Better planning is needed to ensure transportation arrangements are solid, whenever a heavy influx of visitors descend on our shores, if the highest standard of service is to be maintained. Somehow it always seems to boil down to a breakdown in communication, and if that is a problem, it should be rectified as quickly as possible. Every satisfied guest is a commercial we do not have to pay for.

Things will never be perfect, but they can be a great deal better with improved communication with many of our problems, instead of allowing situations to bubble over before logic and reason are brought into play.

It may be a long and hot summer, but if we can manage to keep our heads cool in the midst of controversial confrontations, the potential for just solutions will be at a higher level.

Good communication will be the key in overall management of our affairs. Success will depend on team work.