John Swan used to walk the streets of Hamilton at lunchtime as Premier. He even gave me an impromptu lift in the BMW to pick up my car one lunchtime from TCD. David Saul used to do his running on the streets of Hamilton when he was Premier. Pamela Gordon was often seen on the streets of Hamilton mixing with the voters. Jennifer Smith requires spending of $495,000 of taxpayers' money to protect her, and we never see her. Did I miss something? PHIL CRACKNELL St. George's Where is the courtesy? February 17, 2001 Dear Sir, Yesterday, February 16, 2001, I had the misfortune of needing Public Transportation. Accompanying me was my two-year-old son. We boarded the standing-room only bus at Port Royal, Southampton and proceeded to stand until King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

To say that society has changed in just my 21 years is a gross understatement.

There was a time when a parent carrying a small child was offered a seat immediately upon boarding the bus and if not, the driver encouraged this to happen or the bus would not leave the bus layby. Manners were taught at home as well as in school.

All of Bermuda and the rest of the developed world's social problems stem from the fact that parents do not instil in their children the values and tools that were so vital 50, 20, or even ten years ago. Courtesy, understanding, and basic manners were spoon-fed to me from babyhood, but they seem to have been abandoned in this new era of independence. "Every man for himself'' seems to be the motto of the Millennium. In that case, transport me to a time where my son and I would've been offered a seat immediately upon boarding the bus.

Millions of dollars will not fix Bermuda's social problems. Stable and nurturing families will.

I hope that my fellow bus-mates (and it wasn't just children on that bus) see themselves in this letter and are as thoroughly disgusted with themselves as I am.

S. RICHARDSON Southampton Tag day thank you February 20, 2001 Dear Sir, The Orchid Charity Club would like to take this opportunity to extend our Thanks to all those persons who assisted in any way during our Annual Tag Day which was held on January 19 and 20, 2001. A special thank you to the physically challenged who stayed the entire day and did an excellent job -- Willard Fox, Albert Fray, James Thompson and Stephen Wilson. To the Kiwanas Lions, Key Women, Wagon Wheel, The Haven, Matilda Smith Williams Auxiliary also the businesses who allowed us to tag on their premises.

A very special thanks to the following businesses for their generous donations once again: AS&K, Bacardi International, BF&M, Bermuda Gas and Utility, Bermuda Paint, Bermuda Press, Bermuda Telephone Co., John Barritt, Butterfield & Vallis, Gibbons Management, Harrington Trust Ltd. Dr. Clarence James, Kitson & Co, Dr. G.B. & Gloria McPhee, Stevedoring Services. To each and everyone who helped in any way possible thank you all.

Thanks to the general public for without you we certainly would not be able to report that your contributions were well received and allowed us to pass the $12,000 mark. May you all be blessed as you truly bless others. Above all the praise goes to God for such ideal weather.

LOIS L. WEEKS Corresponding Secretary Orchid Charity Club Pembroke MPs must earn respect February 23, 2001 Dear Sir, A while back I read that certain Cabinet Ministers have complained about lack of recognition and as a consequence, respect. This reminded me of a story that my father George used to tell. I understand he came to Bermuda with one of those famous British Regiments, the Sherwood Foresters.

Day two, after their arrival, the battalion mail buggy drove past the Colonial Governor, in civvies, without a salute. The Governor telephoned the commanding officer and proceeded to "tear a strip off him''. In due course a photograph arrived showing a family scene, of the general and her ladyship, together with the family pet.

My father's colonel placed the photograph on a table, at the flagpole end of the Prospect parade ground, fell in the troops and marched them past. As each platoon went by a smart "eyes right'' was given. All this for two hours, in the hot sun, to ensure that every man would recognise their "worshipnesses''.

Traditionally, as anyone who has been a soldier realises, such tactics tend to be counter-productive. What in fact transpired was that, for the entire time the Regiment remained in Bermuda, they saluted every man and woman over the age of 21, black and white, in addition to any ugly dog.

Here is my suggestion. Kick Johnny Barnes off the roundabout for three months; congregate the entire Cabinet, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10.00 a.m. and see what happens.

Maybe we will salute and then again, maybe not. One thing for sure is that everyone in Bermuda will know who they are.

DOUGLAS C. ROBERTS .

A wonderful lady February 24, 2001 Dear Sir, We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Doreen Lightbourne this past week. Doreen was a good friend and a chance to visit with her was one of the many things that have kept us coming back to Bermuda and the St George's Club for the past 21 years.

Doreen always marched to her own drummer. She was a BIU and PLP stalwart from the days when it was anything but fashionable for a white person to be associated with either, and we suppose that is what she will be best remembered for. But her personality and sense of self transcended even these pioneering causes. All who knew her will attest that she never suffered fools lightly and took special delight at tweaking the pretentious and those who enjoy special and unwarranted privilege.

Doreen experienced firsthand the inequities that permeate our society. She would tussle with the powerful and the mighty and she never feared the consequences of speaking her mind publicly or in private. Even her closest allies were not immune to her sharp wit and pen when Doreen felt they were going down the wrong path.

She was loved in spite of this because her activism was always tempered with deep compassion and a wonderful sense of humour. Doreen lived a life of utter simplicity and great dignity. Her preoccupation was other people's welfare, not her own material possessions, and this gave her an unusual spiritual dimension we can only try to emulate. Despite a prolonged illness, she remained happy, joyous and free to the end. We will miss Doreen greatly and our next visit to Bermuda will have a sad edge to it because she won't be there to welcome us.

BOB AND JOANNE BURKE Newton Highlands Massachusetts, USA What about the rest? February 28, 2001 Dear Sir, It was most interesting to read your report in the Royal Gazette about the City of Hamilton Plan meeting held at City Hall.

Strangely, there was no mention of the comments made by the Mayor of Hamilton or the Minister of Environment. There was no mention of the fact that Mr.

Peter Adwick gave a presentation on the whole City of Hamilton Plan. There was no mention of the fact that 70 to 80 people were present, many of whom asked relevant questions directly relating to the new Plan. To the best of my recollection as an attendee these included questions about the new setback requirements, the rules about historic areas and buildings, the requirements for public art, questions dealing with how the new Plan seeks to encourage residential development in Hamilton, the need for consultation with the people of North Hamilton when making changes in that area, etc.

The headline read: "Retailers express anger over new Hamilton Plan'' and went on to quote just one retailer, Mr. Roger Davidson, at length. Mr. Davidson must surely be mightily pleased this morning at the extensive coverage he received at the expense of 90 percent of the people there who also expressed their views which, unfortunately, did not merit any coverage at all.

Presumably this has nothing whatever to do with the fact that Mr. Davidson is President of Bermuda Press (Holdings) Ltd., owners of The Royal Gazette newspaper, and nothing whatever to do with the fact that he attended the meeting along with the general manager of The Royal Gazette ! It would be interesting to hear what the majority of retailers have to say about Mr. Davidson's comments. Perhaps you could check with the Retail Section of the Chamber (of Commerce) to see just how angry the retailers are and whether Mr. Davidson's comments truly reflect their views.

WATCHER City of Hamilton Editor's note: Mr. Davidson's comments were the most newsworthy at the event because many of the other issues mentioned had already been reported. It should also be noted that this newspaper has supported the pedestrianisation of Reid Street in editorials and will continue to do so. A follow-up story the next day showed that other retailers disagreed with Mr. Davidson.