Plates for two types

August 14, 2002

Dear Sir,

Why does Bermuda have two completely different styles of car licence plates?

One for us regular people and the other for the egomaniacs.

Can't anyone at TCD make a decision?

CURIOUS

Pembroke

Thanks Mr. Dunkley

August 12, 2002

Dear Sir,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Michael Dunkley for reminding us, the voting public, exactly why we distrust and view with doubt/scepticism anything that comes from certain politicians' mouths.

While listening to Mr. Dunkley JP, MP, from the United Bermuda Party (UBP) opposition party on a Sunday, August 11, 2002, talk show articulate how out of touch the ruling Progressive Labour Party is because they went against the wishes of the majority of the Bermuda population when they removed Capital and Corporal punishment from the law books, is a complete misrepresentation of any and all truth.

He spent several minutes describing how he saw the entire situation with the Bermuda public wanting to retain these two Acts and the Government outlawing the practice regardless.

What he failed to say, either through his ignorance of the situation or worse, his sinister intention of trying to mislead the general public on this issue.

He, as a well informed Member of Parliament (MP), knows that Bermuda as a colony of mother Britain (UK) has no say in the matter.

Since these Acts are outlawed in Britain and most of the European Union, Bermuda as a Colony and using the Privy Council has no chance of ever carrying out these acts.

Also he decided not to mention the fact that Britain has relayed to Bermuda both in words and in writing that either we remove these laws from the books and fall in line with them or they will change it for us by an Act of Parliament.

I hope that he was not playing on what he must view as the small mindedness of the voting population with the hope of scoring cheap and unwarranted political points for he and his party.

I am not usually involved with these political issues but I hate it when any person distorts the facts simply to advance their own agenda.

Why do certain people purposely attempt to this in the year 2002?

MR. RICHARDSON

Pembroke

Don't over price

August 11, 2002

Dear Sir,

As "real" tourists from England, it was with a great interest we read the Jester's letter on Friday August 9.

This is our fourth family holiday in Bermuda staying in an apartment we rent at Turtle Lane, Southampton.

The cost of hotel accommodation for our preferred minimum 14 night stay along with the general high cost of holiday living here, would make a holiday in Bermuda, for us, prohibitive.

We feel that in order to attract mere "real" tourists to the Island, the Minister for Tourism needs to address the high cost of dining out, exacerbated by the excessive mark up on wine and the addition of 15 percent gratuity as a matter of course (with a few exceptions).

In effect a further minimum 15 percent tax is being levied on eating and drinking.

Having travelled extensively throughout the world, we find this practice unique to Bermuda and if indeed it is actually a service charge/tip it should be entirely discretionary and service related.

We love coming to Bermuda for the beautiful beaches, the quaint towns and the courteous friendly Bermudians, so please do not out-price us and many other "real" tourists, from returning.

ALISON PAUL ELEANOR & JOE CARLAN

Southampton

Brain the first defence

August 14, 2002

Dear Sir,

The best defense for a women is her brain, not mace or pepper spray.

Women have to start using their basic instincts to alert them of the dangers that lurk ahead in today's society.

Remember, Bermuda has changed drastically since a few years ago when life was simple. Today this Island is a very high pressure place to live in.

People are under a lot of pressure with high rents and high cost of living, having to work several jobs to make ends meet.

Men are also under a lot of pressure as they too have to meet these commitments.

When people are under enormous amounts of pressure some choose alcohol or drugs and we all know where that leads to.

The Woman's Resource Group have experience in domestic violence and would do the community a better service by providing women with guidelines to follow in this changing society.

For instance:

Find out more about the man your interested in;

Don't accept a ride unless you know the man and even then be very cautious;

If you are under the influences of drugs or alcohol you lose sound judgment and control;

If a woman is in an abusive relationship get help. It's not going to get better; and

If your relationship is at an end don't be vindictive as this can have serious repercussions.

The Police can also play an important role in defusing domestic violence by being better trained in handling these situations.

Self defence should be used only as a last resort as that too can have serious consequences.

ERNEST M. DECOUTO

(not the former MP)

City of Hamilton

Animal abuse awareness

August 14, 2002

Dear Sir,

Thank you for making us aware of the animal abuse that is taking place on the Island. I hope the Government finally clamps down on these criminals who have no compassion for animals. It is a shame that many people have not understood what the American Indians and other cultures who were closed to nature believed - that we all are creatures of God and part of the universe. A person cannot call himself a good person if he has no compassion for an animal. They feel hunger, thirst, cold, rejection, the same way we do. Whatever we give to animals will be returned to us in spirit.

HANNI K. VON METZGER

Southampton

A big thank you

August 12, 2002

The following was sent to Edgar Dill, sales manager of Cable & Wireless Bermuda.

Dear Mr. Dill,

I am writing on behalf of the Bermuda Society for the Blind and all the Blind workers who attend Beacon House to express our very grateful thanks to Cable & Wireless Bermuda for their cheque, in the amount of $6,800.

This represents a pledge, made annually by Cable & Wireless, to donate $200 for every "six" hit during the Cup Match.

Our thanks, also, go out to both the Somerset and St. George's teams for giving us all such a wonderful match and producing 34 "sixes". Along with the rest of Bermuda we greatly appreciate your efforts. (Even more so in our case!)

In closing mention must be made of Malcolm Raynor, whose idea this was in the first place.

Our thanks to everyone concerned for your support to our cause.

NIGEL C. STEWART

(CHAIRMAN)

BERMUDA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND

Mr. Mayne was my papa

August 9, 2002

Dear Sir,

I have just received a cutting of a newspaper article written by Larry Burchall. First of all, Mr. Mayne was named William not Charlie - that was one of his sons.

The Berkeley boys used to ride their bikes, shout at each other and fight one another, I remember well.

Mr. Mayne, who was Verger for years and who took his job to heart, died with a heart attack on the job. I hope you were not one of the boys he was sending off of St. John's yard. Yes I remember well.

William Mayne was my stepfather. Papa was what I call him.

LEOLA

Thank you gentlemen

August 14, 2002

Dear Sir,

I hope you can find space in your column to print this. I left work last night and walked to my car. Upon trying to starting it, it would not start and the reason why was due to the heavy rains in the morning and the fact that I used my head lights and had unfortunately left them on all day.

While in my car I asked a gentleman also on his way home if he had any jump leads to assist me, he did not hesitate to help, he promptly got on his cell phone and made calls to assist me. As far as I am aware he worked for the Corporation of Hamilton as shown on his shirt he was wearing. Within a matter of about five minutes a van pulled up to help me start my car, then I was on my way. If it was not for their kind assistance then I would of been left there, also my children would have been left in St. George's at their camp until I would of made it over there.

So I would like to say a big thank you to the two guys who helped me and due to rushing so sorry I did not get your names.

JOANNA HASSELL

St. Davids