Support St. George's

May 5, 2010

Dear Sir,

I would like to commend Mayor Bascome in regards to his statement in today's (Wednesday's ) paper where he said of the lack of business in St. George's due to having now two visits by the cruise ships pass St. George's by due to high winds, that: "We are not going to be whining we are looking to create some buzz.

"We are going to be proactive about getting people to St. George's and I think by the end of this season we will be the envy of Bermuda."

Mayor Bascome is adamant about turning St. George's around and I think every Bermudian that loves their country should help by visiting St. George's on the weekends to help him succeed in his plans.

By visiting, we the people of Bermuda can support the restaurants and attractions and shops. I for one haven't noticed the garbage or old rusted abandoned boats or cars but I have noticed the closed and empty shops and the lack or restaurants or things to do.

We have few enough places to go to on this Island and maybe if all of Bermuda shows some interest and support, St. George's can turn around and be an interesting place to visit even for ourselves.

Now, if we could only get our government to show some interest in our country and the people that live here, by trying to solve the unemployment and other issues we are facing like the national debt, we could once again flourish.

It's too bad Dr. Brown can't leave at the end of his term doing something good so that we could overlook all the bad that we will remember him by. What a legacy he has left us … Zippo, Nada, just debt and bad feelings.

CONCERNED

Warwick

DeVent got it right

May 5, 2010

Dear Sir,

Let's cut right to the chase. Rolfe Commissiong is a "rude" individual who has done nothing for race relations but fuel the fire for racism to continue.

Thank you Mr. DeVent for saying that Rolfe only likes to blame everything on racism. Racism is not the cause for everything wrong in this world. I swear if we have a drought in Bermuda, Rolfe would say it's due to racism. Stop using race as a shield. Accept one's own responsibilities!

Racism happened here and of course racism was, is, and always will be wrong. But it's not an excuse for bad behaviour. If someone walks up to me and slaps me in the face every day, must I then walk to the next block and slap someone in their face? No! I must not. What happens to me is no excuse to take it out on another.

Mr. Commissiong's comment that Mr. DeVent was a bit slow was out of line. I have witnessed firsthand how nasty he can be to someone in public and how prejudiced he himself is.

ROBERT DAVIES

Devonshire

Gambling not a panacea

May 6, 2010

Dear Sir,

Good day Mr. Editor; I am writing this to express my feelings on the present gaming issue.

Like the majority of your correspondents I recognise the need for extra interest and appeal to aid in the attracting of visitors to the Island ... I must agree with Eva Hodgson, there have to be other avenues than gambling. There was a time when one could go dancing at many of the hotels and nightspots, see a nice (imported) floorshow, enjoy top bands, often from abroad, and give little thought to the need to gamble.

Do we remember the union pressure to push local entertainers and remove the outsiders? Gradually the slide started, less local talent, and finally hardly any. While I am not much of a gambler, I have been to Monaco (on the way through) and other well organised places like that and give them positive credit, but I don't think they are the solution. We need people-oriented stimulation.

That will give our visitors something to remember us by. A well-run, completely transparent, casino in a larger institution could be considered as a bonus, but not a panacea.

PETER OUTERBRIDGE

St. George's

Photo was inexcusable

May 6, 2010

Dear Sir,

I would expect the RG to hold a higher standard than to print a picture of a man "gesturing" with his middle finger on the front page of your paper.

The moral fabric of this Island's society is disintegrating around us, and having the daily endorse such behaviour by choosing to publish the picture is inexcusable.

LESLEY COX

Devonshire

Actions speak louder ...

May 7, 2010

Dear Sir,

Firstly I would like to commend Mayor Gosling and his team for energising the vibe in and around the City of Hamilton, at least until I drove in on the weekend.

Why oh why would six large trees lining Front Street be chopped to the ground just steps away from a banner designed by the COH proclaiming May to be Heritage Month with a green theme.

For my family and I, we enjoy walks into Hamilton to see the Christmas lights. Where will they be now? I hope there is a plan to replace the trees.

Please, Mayor Gosling, consider the environment a little more in the name of progress.

LENNIE LIVES IN HAMILTON