Unfair restrictions

July 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

Thank you for shining light on the unfair restrictions recently imposed on Bermudians with expatriate spouses regarding owning property in Bermuda. The Department of Immigration's sluggish turnaround for land licenses is a great disadvantage to us in Bermuda's overheated real estate market.

Moreover, if Government's intent was to ban "fronting" then why was a new provision recently introduced in the Companies Act allowing exempt companies to enter long-term leases for property? In effect, this blesses the practice of fronting as a quick review of real estate records for recent months show a handful of Bermudians buying many properties. Presumably these senior executives of exempt companies have received a prepaid lease to finance those acquisitions.

Thus, the new laws increase the bureaucracy for Bermudian families to buy homes, but actually smooth the way for more corporate acquisitions.

LANDLESS

Warwick

A rewarding experience

July 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

I recently had the opportunity to volunteer with the Tall Ships Festival here in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This was the first time I had volunteered for a Tall Ships Festival, we have had several over the last few years. I have always been a big fan of sailing ships and felt this would be an excellent way to get a little bit more exposure to them. As a volunteer for the festival my main duty was to assist tourists in boarding of ships, I was assigned to the Spirit of Bermuda for several days of the festival.

I found my experience with this ship to be the most rewarding of the ships I was assigned to. I found the crew aboard, who were mostly from Bermuda, to be exceptional ambassadors of their home port. They were friendly, outgoing and made any visitors that came aboard to feel welcome. It was nice to see a friendly and positive demeanour among the crew when they have to deal with so many visitors to their ship. I myself know the difficulties of dealing with the general public, and know the great difficulty it is being nice to everyone.

I hope the people of Bermuda are proud to have the fine crew, many of whom are youths, travelling the seas reinforcing the friendliness of the people of Bermuda.

The next Tall Ship Festival scheduled for Halifax is in 2009, I will definitely volunteer again largely in part due to the experience I had with the Spirit of Bermuda and I wish her continued success and smooth sailing.

BILLY SPARKS

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Standards of conduct

July 17, 2007

Dear Sir,

I encourage the Bermuda community to pressure for setting up a bipartisan "Committee on Standards in Public Life".

The UK set up a similar body in 1994 under Prime Minister John Major in response to allegations of misconduct and unethical behaviour by some politicians.

The Committee's original terms of reference were: "To examine current concerns about standards of conduct of all holders of public office, including arrangements relating to financial and commercial activities, and make recommendations as to any changes in present arrangements which might be required to ensure the highest standards of propriety in public life".

The Committee established "The Seven Principles of Public Life" under the headings: Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty, and Leadership. More information may be found at http://www.public-standards.gov.uk/about_us/the_seven_principles_of_life.aspx

The definition of public office is quite broad, covering all Ministers and MPs, civil servants, and government advisers. It also includes officers of all "quangos" or external bodies discharging publicly funded functions.

In 1997 Tony Blair extended the Committee's terms of reference "to review issues in relation to the funding of political parties, and to make recommendations as to any changes in present arrangements".

Bermuda has a fledgling effort along these lines, in the form of the "Register of Members' Interests". However, it is broadly acknowledged that the requirements are weak and largely unenforced.

GRAWLIX

Paget

Thank you from JaKoMa

July 15, 2007

Dear Sir,

On behalf of The JaKoMa Group, I would like to thank everyone who attended the Gosling's Summer Sizzle Fashion Show on the Upper Level of Bull's Head parking lot. JaKoMa values every single audience member, from VIP to regular ticket holders because without each person's attendance we would not be able to showcase the extraordinary talents and brilliant fashions presented on Sunday July 15, 2007. With that in mind, I would like to publicly apologise for the delay in start time and lack of communication at the show. Unfortunately, there were many circumstances that took place, beyond JaKoMa Group's control. For instance, the inclement weather was a huge obstruction to our setup plans.

I would like to particularly apologise to the VIP/Patron ticket holders. Please be assured that all staff were informed of the VIP benefits prior to the show beginning as JaKoMa believes that communication is the best way to deliver top service. We guarantee that at the next JaKoMa event, VIP/Patrons will be treated with the respect and provided with the service they deserve.

As this was the first fashion show of this magnitude to take place in Bermuda, the experience served as a great learning tool for JaKoMa and indeed we have acquired much knowledge from the event. So on that positive note, we are pleased to announce that the Gosling's Summer Sizzle Fashion Show was indeed like no other! The actual show was as if it were made in Heaven! From the spectacular opening act with our beautiful model hosts/hostesses, the intermission performance with the sultry voiced Nicole Burgess, to the closing salsa performance with SeaBreeze Salsa group, every single act was phenomenal!

The clothing stores provided us with the very best clothing selection offered and the modelling routines, choreographed by our very own CEO, Lamont Robinson, set precedence to any other fashion show Bermuda will and has experienced! Finally, the angelic treats and musical acts from participating stores, helped make the show difficult to follow but for JaKoMa, it can only get better and our winter show will exceed your imagination once again!

If there are any questions or concerns, please contact us at info@jakoma.com or call 295-0345. Be sure to go to www.jakoma.com and www.vybesalliance.com for pictures and video streams of the show and the show will be aired on Fresh TV and VSB Channel 11. TV dates to be announced shortly.

CHA'VON K. CLARKE

Public Relations/PR Manager

JaKoMa Group

Stop coddling criminals

July 19, 2007

Dear Sir,

I am a tourist and I am appalled at Mr Burgess' sentence. Surely the attack with a Samurai sword qualifies as assault with a deadly weapon. Bermuda has to stop coddling its criminals.

What protection is there for tourists who are robbed or is this the reason that the violent crime rate in Bermuda has risen?

MICHAEL POLITO

Somerset, New Jersey

Why different treatment?

July 12, 2007

Dear Sir,

I am curious about an article that appeared in today's Royal Gazette about a trio of persons who were fined $300 each for not showing up for jury duty, while another was merely given a warning.

It was reported that Brian Doyle, Sofia Lindo-DeCouto and Kerrie Aubrey all explained to Justice Charles-Etta Simmons that they reported for jury duty on Tuesday, July 3, the date they were originally told to appear. There had been some change to the schedule and so they were told to come back in a week. Most of us on duty for the months of July and August received a message not to report on July 3 but to report on July 9. For whatever reason, these three persons obviously didn't get the message. Justice Simmons said she didn't think any of their stories were excusable and fined them $300 each.

A fourth person, Domico Coddington, also failed to appear for jury duty on Monday, July 9 for exactly the same reason. Mr. Coddington was not fined but merely warned. I am trying to determine what the reasoning could be behind this different treatment. I will forward a copy of this letter to the office of the Attorney General and request that he investigates.

KIM SMITH

Pembroke

Turning away tourists

July 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

Regarding the questions about "Faith Based Tourism", the only thing that our Govt. seems to have noticeably done is to turn away a cruise-ship full of tourists from our Island!

CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER

Smith's

Some facts about funerals

July 17, 2007

Dear Sir,

This is in response to Upon Deep Reflection — a young white woman from St. George's — who asked that someone from the older generation of so-called white people give their thoughts concerning attendance at Dame Lois Browne-Evans' funeral ... (I say "so-called" white people because I do not think the terms "black" and "white" correctly describe people, when in reality we are all different shades of brown! However, I shall use the terms black and white for the purpose of this letter.)

I am a 70-year-old white female and, yes, I remember Dame Lois Browne-Evans very well in her active years. I did not agree with her politics, but I always admired her and I think she was a remarkable woman, achieving all that she did at a time when it was difficult for any woman to become a professional and especially a black woman. However, since I did not know her or any members of her family personally, I did not attend her funeral.

Here is the point. There is a cultural difference, which everyone speaking or writing on this subject seems to have missed.

Generally speaking — and of course there are exceptions — older black people go to funerals much more regularly than do older white people. Black people tend to go to funerals of people they only know slightly, whereas white people usually only go to funerals of people they know well. Although I was a UBP supporter at the time, I did not attend Sir Henry Tucker's funeral, for the same reason I did not attend Dame Lois' funeral — I did not know him or any members of his family personally.

On the subject of younger people, I believe they find death more difficult to deal with than we older folks. When you have lived a long time you come to terms with the fact that death is simply part of life. If you are fortunate enough to be a Christian, you believe that death is simply a transition from this life into the next; just as the caterpillar must die in order to become a beautiful butterfly. Also young people do not attend funerals as frequently as we do, because their friends are not dying on a regular basis! The old joke about senior citizens checking the obituaries in the newspaper is, I have discovered, not really a joke at all. I now check the paper every day, hoping I won't see one of my friends there!

As to the afternoon of Dame Lois' funeral, that was not the only funeral taking place that day. I actually attended a funeral at Wesley Methodist Church, which was scheduled for the same afternoon. Although I left my home a half hour earlier than I normally would have, I was almost late for my friend's funeral because of all the traffic that day. My friend was also a remarkable black lady, although not in the public eye like Dame Lois. I had known this lady for years and had visited her in her home, so I went to her funeral.

I hope this has helped to clear up some of the misunderstanding that seems to abound concerning attendance at Dame Lois' funeral.

SENIOR CITIZEN WHO CARES

Devonshire

Spitting in public's face

July 18, 2007

Dear Sir,

If Government issues an SDO for the Southlands project, it will have once again have spat in the face of the Bermudian public. In fact, Government has a habit of spitting in the face of the public, by ignoring extremely important issues concerning the well being of Bermuda and its people.

For instance, over 15,000 people signed a petition for a referendum on independence, and what happens? Nothing! So what do we as citizens have to do to be heard?

I'll tell you what we have to do! We have to get off our collective fat behinds and get the ball rolling in getting this country in good order; otherwise, we are going to suffer some serious consequences. This island has reached its limit! We do not have any space left, and it is time to put a stop to this madness.

Progress is a good thing, so is enjoying a good meal. But gluttony is where the danger comes in, and this "little" island is one of the most gluttonous places in the world. All of these unnecessary projects are strictly for the profit of a few individuals, not for the betterment of Bermuda. These people, after making their millions, and Bermuda has sunk, will take those millions and fly off to another shore.

The people of this country have fewer and fewer rights. They have been ignored; stepped on or not even thought about, and it is time we did something about it. We seriously need a Voters' Bill of Rights wherein Governments cannot just do as they please, whenever they please. The people of this country put the Government there to do their business and if they are not doing it right, the people should have the right to kick them out. Enough is enough!

In 1998 when this government came to power, many many people were overjoyed, including myself! They promised a "New Bermuda"! Well we got a new Bermuda all right, but not the one we expected.

Many years ago, my dear departed grandmother (she would have been about 130 years old now) told me a joke, she said, and I quote: "Every Sunday the Preacher in church would preach the same old sermon, and that was, "When Gabriel blows his horn, we will all go forth together holding hands to the Promise Land!" There were some young men in the congregations who were tired of the same sermon Sunday after Sunday. So one Sunday they stayed outside the church window with a trumpet, and when the Preacher came to the part of Gabriel blowing his horn, one young man raised the trumpet and blew for all he was worth. The Preacher hearing this trumpet, hollers "Hallelujah", jumps down from the pulpit and runs down the aisle, heading for the church door! The congregation seeing this is confused and is shouting Preacher! Preacher! What about us? You told us we were all going to go forth together to the Promise Land—and the Preacher says, "Every man for himself and God for us all! So whom are you going to trust to do something for you? The answer is only you!

Now with this new group the Voters' Right Association getting off the ground, it sounds like a good cause for all Bermudians who are for Voters' Rights to become involved in the well fare of their country. No one else can do it for you, and certainly this Government is not going to do it for you. So get busy and get involved to save your homeland. It is in trouble!

PAT FERGUSON

Warwick

Our upside down world

July 16, 2007

Dear Sir,

Many of your readers will be aware that flying the Union Jack upside down is a secret sign that you are in distress.

In Bermuda recently, it would appear that there is a lot of distress! It seemed to start with Trimingham's. After they closed, their Union Jack was upside down for weeks. Since then, frequent culprits have been 'The Swizzle Inn' and Grotto Bay Hotel.

Hamilton Princess frequently flies the Union Jack upside down, either on the dockside or the front entrance.

Yesterday, Sunday, it was Elbow Beach's turn to fly upside down at the beach. I have even seen the Union Jack flying upside down on the apron in front of the airport! If you flew the American flag upside down imagine the complaints you would get! Please, if you don't know which way up to fly the Union Jack, don't bother!

FLAGRANT ABUSE

City of Hamilton