May 9, 2003

Dear Sir,

I was very lucky to have spent the past eight years as a guest worker in Bermuda. During this time I enjoyed living on this lovely island. After returning to the UK, I planned a round-the-world trip over a five-month period, which took me to over 13 countries. I am proud to reassure everyone living in Bermuda that this lovely island takes a lot of beating.

While in New Zealand I took part in a high-speed boat ride, which was very similar to your own “Wildcat” ride. The seas were rough and by no means should this ride have taken place and, even crazier, there were no seat belts!

So arriving back in Bermuda for an Easter break I decided to take a ride on the Wildcat. Bermuda has a real jewel here, one it should be proud of. Ricky is great and his informative commentary is amazing. Well done, Bermuda!

GRAHAM A. HARE

Nottinghamshire, England

May 9, 2003

Dear Sir,

We have been coming to Bermuda for nigh onto 40 years - including post 9/11 but this was a new experience.

We arrived Wednesday, April 30 on a morning flight from Boston. Upon entering the terminal we were confronted by a huge snake - like line comprised of two plane loads of passengers from earlier flights - and shortly after another plane load of passengers lined up behind us! that's four plane loads in the terminal all being methodically processed by only eight immigration agents.

It was well over an hour before we got into our cab - that's more than half the time if took to fly in form Boston.

Perhaps some planning ahead is warranted here. These planes don't just drop into Bermuda unannounced.

What's the purpose of hurrying a thousand or so people in so we can all stand and wait?

Even so - we love Bermuda and we'll be back next year.

HELEN AND MIKE HORN

Ogunquit, Maine

May 8, 2003

Dear Sir,

I was quite pleased to read several issues of The Royal Gazette that I borrowed from a friend. I was quite disturbed by some of the articles and wrote a long and hasty letter. I then changed the tone of the letter. We should never do things in haste and we should always think things though.

I am very upset about what seems to be happening to some of the young men who seem to be in gangs. Could not the parents and the authorities somehow manage to take the reins and get things under control? It is surely the result of drugs being imported. With millions of dollars worth of drugs being imported, there is no chance of survival for that little island.

With regard to the individuals who sexually exploit children (and adults), they should be named. The general public should have that information in order to keep the other children safe. That is a terrible and horrible crime and the individual should be incarcerated for that crime and for ruining a child's life. He should not be dismissed with merely a ‘slap' on the wrist. What about the rights of that child, and the children who come after him? There will surely be others. He or she will have to undergo years of therapy - if the parents can afford it - to learn how to cope with having been violated.

I hope Government can somehow enact laws for the protection of the people of Bermuda and for the visitors who come to the Island.

It is heartening to read about the many young people who are able to further their education abroad. It would be nice if the young men who are in ‘gangs' could be diverted from that pathway and go the same route as the other young people. If they continue down that path, there will be a downward spiral and then there won't be any young men to educate. Thus: “The death of education.”

We need to wean ourselves away from greed, selfishness and looking out for number one. We are on this earth to help our fellow man.

Thank you, Mr. Editor. I'm sorry if my letter is too long, but Bermuda is my home also and I love it.

I see chaos ahead.

MRS. WENONA A. BURTON

Carmichael, California

May 12, 2003

Dear Sir,

I side with the writer “No Name” and Mr. Eddie Fisher on their comments of mothers raising their children.

I was a single mother for many years. I can relate, but I was a single mother who tried, I say again, tried to keep my children's father in their lives - but what do you do if he chooses not to take interest? I have informed him of their school sports, school functions, weekends and holidays and so one. Yes, I do believe that there are many mothers out there who use their children to get more money out of the fathers or that want to keep the father out of the children's lives. I applaud the men out there who do make the effort... 100 percent. As a mother, you can only do so much.

My children are now nine and 10 years old and their father has called me to have them only twice in their lives. I have always been the responsible parent to make the call for the arrangements of the children if they want to see him. Many times I have waited for him to collect them, and at times he did not show up nor even follow up with a phone call to say he will be late or whether or not he cannot have them this week. When my children's father got married, he did not even invite my children to the wedding. How heartless can a father be? This can ruin a child's mind and self esteem. Fathers or mothers, if you have grudges against the mothers of your children for what ever reason or if you move on into other relationships, do not take it out on your children or abandon them. They are innocent. Until this day, their father has not chosen to be in their lives. My husband and I are doing an excellent job.

I feel that the courts should allow the visitation rights of children to be left up to the children or at least made optional when a child reaches a certain age.

A MOTHER OF TWO

St. George's

May 7, 2003

Dear Sir,

I recently was present at a well attended “Bermuda Sloop Foundation” presentation at the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club. and was so impressed that it prompted me to write my very first letter.

Mr. Malcolm Kirkland's thought provoking, articulate talk left no doubt in anyone's mind that this group has put an extraordinary amount of intelligent thought and work into this project.

My only regret was that the whole of Bermuda was no there to hear this wonderful concept of how to help young people get some “positive bearings” whilst learning on board a beautiful “Bermuda rigged” Bermuda Sloop. This replica of an actual Bermuda built schooner of years gone by would keep alive the great traditions of Bermuda ship building and her seafaring peoples.

A displayed picture of the proposed vessel had a “tentative” name of “Spirit of Bermuda” beneath it. I would hope there would be nothing tentative about it.

I was there when Mr. Eric Johnson did the alteration to his 15-foot Dory converting it to sail.

I was there when he sailed from Bert Darrell's slip in “The Spirit of Bermuda” on his memorable second trip to New York.

I pray I will be there when the new Spirit of Bermuda sails into Bermuda. Surely, Mr. Editor, this is a project worthy of all Bermuda's attention. I pledge to get more involved, otherwise, in years to come, I know that I would be disappointed in myself if I let the opportunity slip by. This is no ordinary sailboat.

This is “The Spirit of Bermuda Too”.

J.W. KEMPE

Warwick

Dear Sir,

Even in this world filled with cynicism and mistrust, there are still moments that come along which renew your faith in human decency.

I was lucky enough to experience one of these moments during my 12-day trip to your exotic isle from Canada. My three close friends and I had ventured to Flatts Village to see the Aquarium and Zoo and had decided to stop off for a late lunch at the Village Grill at Flatts.

Afterward, on the bus home, I realised that I had been short changed by $10. When I got home I phoned the restaurant and was surprised and impressed when they offered to reimburse me immediately without hassle or fuss.

Because of this experience I would be happy to recommend the Village Grill at Flatts to anyone.

MELANIE

Ottawa, Canada