Dry-cleaners aren't good

January 2, 2009

Dear Sir,

I'd really like to know why on this wealthy Island there is not one decent dry-cleaners. Locals pay enormous prices for poor service, often receiving an item back ruined. Dry-cleaners in the US get it right – why not here?

AMY TERCEIRA

Pembroke

Govern speeds

January 6, 2008

Dear Sir,

With regard to road deaths, there is an old saying amongst Bermudians: "Lance Hayward could've seen it coming."

I've said it before and I'll say it once again: "There is a law of gravity that all are subject to facing … and no one will get out of here alive."

We must learn to (more than ever) live together, looking out for one another; this we're able to do by following up on changing them laws that aren't either significant /or enforced a.s.a.p.

To install governs on motorbikes /cars to limit their ability to reach speeds that are absolute unnecessary … or, bring back Velosolexs… Let them lot ride about wide open where ever they want to; (the Velo's top speed is 20 mph), then "dem dilly bops" can race all over the place upon them.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT

St. George's

Belco explain the rises

January 6, 2009

Dear Sir,

Today's Gazette shows Belco fixed rate increases as of January 1, 2009. It should be fair to say that Belco's fuel expenses have gone down and other Belco charges are rising. When does the customer get a break?

They want a 25 percent price rise in their residential meter charge, and other kilowatt hour rates are rising for residential and commercial customers. Were these long overdue increases, or a way to keep the revenue up from the drop in fuel prices or maybe fuel usage? The Price Commission granted them this increase in December, 2007, the Paper reported. Why couldn't the Price Commission stop that increase for now?

I'd like to see and hear Belco explain these increases to the public, not only to the Price Commission. The next thing that needs to be adjusted is lowering the Government Fuel Adjustment charges after hopefully Belco imports cheaper fuel. Will the customer get a break then? In this recessionary period there will be more below that $70K poverty line, shame.

Roger and out.

ROGER LAMBERT

Sandys

Parties not race-based

January 5, 2009

Dear Sir,

Like most Bermudians I am quite excited about our 400 year birthday celebrations planned throughout this year, but I was very disappointed in some of the press releases made in the RG edition on Saturday, January 3, 2009.

In the article there was a section identifying certain dates of importance over the past 400 years and I take exception to the headings alongside the years 1963 and 1964. The former date was identified as the formation of the PLP as a party representing the black labour movement, and in the latter date the description of the formation of the UBP as a party representing white business interests.

I find these descriptions both distasteful and certainly not factual. I for one give credit to those Founders of the PLP in 1963 as a group wanting to represent all workers throughout our community, not just black workers, and if you had made an effort to go back into the archives you would have seen many photos of various protests within the labour movement that included white faces and certainly many of Portuguese heritage. Therefore to highlight the formation of the PLP as a party representing only the black labour movement is both wrong and insulting to those in our community who are not black. Better to have described the party's formation as one representing the labour movement.

Similarly, to describe the formation of the UBP in 1964 as a party representing white business interests is also incorrect and quite frankly inflammatory because the party had representation from a broad spectrum within the community of white, black and Portuguese members — all of whom worked together to advance all of Bermuda's business interests — white, black and all others. After all, this is the party that once in Government and with the encouragement of a vocal Opposition — the PLP — made it their mission to break the back of segregation in our schooling system, so to pigeon hole its Founders and representatives as representing only white interests is disingenuous and insulting.

Most Bermudians would agree that the RG is generally unbiased in its reporting and not the tool or mouthpiece of the Government — whether that be the past or present Government. Please do your job to ensure Bermuda has a 400 year birthday party that we can all be proud of and not carry messages or innuendo that could be insulting or distasteful to any segment of our people. Like most in our community, I consider myself firstly, a Bermudian and after that if one wishes to describe me as a white Bermudian with Portuguese roots then so be it — that is their decision. But it's not mine.

Lastly, if anyone has any doubt about what I've written above, please consult the constitutions of both political parties, in which the Founders make NO reference to race as a prerequisite for membership or representation.

ALLAN D. MARSHALL JP

Smith's

Pride from school shows

January 2, 2009

Dear Sir,

Today I listened to a recording of some high school students singing and playing the "Battle Hymn of the Republic!" It was moving and touching because of the enthusiasm and professionalism these students put into their performance. It clearly showed they spent hours upon hours practising for this performance and it was brilliant. The voices and music was first class!

I recently attended a Marching Band competition put on by the Bloomfield High School in Bloomfield, New Jersey. This is the high school my granddaughter Leilah, attends and she is a senior member of the High School Marching Band's Colour Guard (flag drill team), as well as 2nd violinist in the Bloomfield High School orchestra.

At this Marching Band Competition, there were hundreds of high school students performing, and I was amazed at their dedication and discipline to what they were doing! Not only that, but they were having fun doing it. Another thing worth mentioning was the support of the parents and friends that attended this function. It was heartwarming and a very proud moment for everyone who attended. I certainly felt proud watching my granddaughter on that field going through her paces, and to watch her escort other school bands on to the field in such a regal and professional manner.

While watching these school bands go through their performances, I was wondering why is it that we do not have something like this in Bermuda? What an interest it would generate in some of our youngsters, and what an outlet for some of their pent up energy. This would give them a sense of pride, discipline, and dedication. As far as I know, being in the high school orchestra is included in the school's curriculum — except of course, when the school is putting on some special programme and the practice time increases. In the Colour Guard, practice is after school, and I have seen them practice for hours on end and still go home to complete three hours of homework. This is where the dedication and discipline comes in.

Mr. Editor, we owe it to our children to do what is best for them. We could stop wasting money on cosmetics and put it where it will do some good. If we can afford 2 GP cars for the Premier … Playboy mansion parties … Faith Based Tourism … open credit cards for travelling Cabinet Members … millions to cricket, etc., and a million dollars to Beyonce to shake her bootie — we can certainly afford a few thousand dollars to help our children, the future leaders of this country.

Now let us all bow our heads and pray. "God in heaven, help our poor miserable souls!" And I am serious!

PAT FERGUSON

Warwick

Scam artists can be spotted

December 31, 2008

Dear Sir,

So yet another scam artist has struck with devastating results. Sad, but am I to understand that receiving $5 million on an outlay of $130,000 was expected? That's a 3,846 percent return! I well know that the higher the return the greater the risk, but falling for that kind of promise was … well, call it what you will, I don't have the problem.

How much fiscal savvy does it take to understand that as this recession deepens, all kinds of scams will be popping out of the woodwork?

Even in relatively prosperous times, scam artists are always willing and able to separate you from your money. Everything will be for sale. If it's not a great 'new' health discovery; like some new type of water – a brand new cure-all (that was totally overlooked by the WHO) or it's some 'hot' tip on how to get a great (though totally unrealistic) return on your hard earned money – fat chance. The last lot from Nigeria that bothered me got the promise of my contacting Interpol if they persisted and the ones from Malta, who want a few hundred dollars to finalise my windfall transaction? "Take it out of my winnings", I told them. None of them bother me any more. What little money I have, can safely stay in the bank even at their paltry interest rate, but I will still be mine when I need it. QED!

Moving on: I didn't know quite what to make of that recent letter from "At the bottom of the ladder". It moved me greatly. It also brought to mind the many times I've been accosted by (here we go again) someone wanting to separate me from my money without having earned it. He thought I didn't notice the cigarette in his hand. Who did he think he was fooling?

If you want some money, get a job doing what you do best and earn it! OK, so sweeping the streets is not glamorous, but its honest work, we all can't be rocket scientists. They really don't ask me for money any more though; I know how to handle them. 'Get a job, ya' lazy so and so'. (I really used expletives) Problem solved. The reasonably ambitious ones will at least ask if they can wash your car, and accept that you decline the offer most times, but the others, good grief! Not having a job is (by and large) voluntary.

This is Bermuda after all; one of the few places in the world where, if you don't have a job it's because you don't want one! I don't want to be unkind to the less fortunate, and I know it takes real 'stones' to survive here, but there are agencies that assist the needy, ideally a hand up, not a hand out.

An additional thought: Drugs are the scourge of modern society; no question and I've always wondered why drug testing was random. If we are really are serious about winning this war, testing has to be mandatory for everybody!

Forgive me for being biased because I never took drugs, but those who have nothing to hide, have nothing to fear! We can start by making the parole of (prison) inmates contingent on passing a drug test. You fail, you don't get out. We might have to hit rock bottom before there are signs of any progress, but the longest journey starts with a single step.

And finally on a personal note: I had an X-ray today; way too early for my liking (and no breakfast to boot) but I was quickly jolted out of my less than ideal frame of mind by the radiologist on duty who introduced herself (I think) as Jill. Her smile and real concern for my welfare were really welcome. More than welcome really because it doesn't happen like that very often.

Admittedly there are no real grouches at KEMH, but Jill was exceptional. She almost made me want to have X-rays every day. I'm sure I speak for the many patients with whom she has had contact when I say thank you so very much for your kind attention and keep up the good work.

C.K. SIMONS

Sandys