Momentous occasion

May 7, 2006

Dear Sir,

May I use your columns to express appreciation to all of those to make the Observance marking the 25th Anniversary of the 1981 General Strike, the success that it was.

Let me thank Dr. Brown, the President of the local Conference of the Seventh Day Adventists who offered the opening prayer which set the tone - he did this on short-notice when Canon Nisbett could not make it due to illness. The virtuoso, violin performance of Taylor Rankin built on that beginning.

Thanks must also go to readings from the scriptures by Ms Helena (Molly) Burgess, General Secretary of the Bermuda Industrial Union and Sir David Gibbons, the former Premier who expressed the view that he was honoured to participate in the Observance. It goes without saying that the participation of these two was symbolic of the spirit of the event.

The performance of the St. Paul's choir was another delight for those in attendance, as was the solo by noted performer Toni Robinson. It is clear that music allows us as humans to deal with the most difficult of matters in a most positive of ways.

The Rev. Larry Lowe in his concise message, superbly captured the theme “Choosing Peace”. He was able to provide some historical perspective and draw out lessons that offer the upcoming generation some point of guidance.

All of this was capped off by a closing prayer from Archdeacon Andrew Doughty who involved the congregation. We would also like to express appreciation to the St. Paul AME family for their support, as well as Chris Furbert - president of the BIU - in his capacity as co-chairman of the Joint Labour Day Committee.

The feedback from those in attendance spoke to the importance of our community pulling together in reflection of our story of Bermuda, even and perhaps, especially those chapters in which we experienced difficulties. It is our hope that as this and other parts of the our shared history are being further revealed that the upcoming generation will be encouraged to Choose Peace.

GLENN FUBLER

Co-Chair

Imagine Bermuda 2009

Calm and professional

May 20, 2006

This was sent to Chief Education Officer Dr. Joseph Christopher and copied to The Royal Gazette.

Dear Dr. Christopher

At this time I commend Ms Joyce Scott, your Administrative Assistant at the Ministry of Education and Development and wish to show my thankfulness in writing.

In May, 2005 an incident occurred at my son's primary school which caused him to be punched in the mouth by another student. Subsequently, he required medical attention. I was very upset and expressed my concerns in person to Ms Joyce Scott at the Ministry. She handled my situation in a very calm professional manner. She listened attentively as I threatened to report this incident to the newspapers.

She directed my concerned to the proper parties; Ms Joann Smith and Ms Donald and they in turn sought resolution to my concerns immediately. Dr. Christopher you have a wonderful and thoughtful employee in the person of Ms Joyce Scott. Her calm demeanour helped to calm me down.

In this era when we hear so many complaints about our public education system, truly in our midst we have a sparkling diamond in the rough.

LOUISA B. SHOWERS

Warwick

Price differences

May 8, 2006

Dear Sir,

My son has been sick so I went to People's Pharmacy and bought Pedialite at $4.30 a bottle. The next day I went to the Collectors Hill Apothecary - a branch of the Phoenix Stores - and the exact same bottle of Pedialite cost $5.50 a bottle. A difference of $1.20. How can such a difference in price be justified?

On the same note, a couple of weeks ago the Phoenix Stores were advertising Huggies Diapers for a sale price of $13 and change. That's how much they cost at the normal price in Market Place stores. When they are on sale in Market Place stores they cost $10 and change.

MOTHER

City of Hamilton

Serious concerns

May 4, 2006

This was sent to Neletha Butterfield, and copied to The Royal Gazette.

Dear Minister,

I write once again on behalf of the Bermuda SPCA regarding the proposed Animal Extravaganza scheduled to run in Bermuda later this month.

It has recently been confirmed to us indirectly that five tigers and six polar bears are to be imported for the event.

As the date for this event draws ever closer, the SPCA still has serious concerns regarding the use of exotic animals for entertainment as well as issues with the logistics of this particular event. As such, we request that you utilise your prerogative to deny the promoter's request for a permit to import these animals into Bermuda for the purposes of staging public exhibitions.

The organisation whose tigers are to be used (Big Cat Habitat) has been cited by the USDA in the past for: 1. Failure to provide a veterinary care programme; 2. Newly acquired lion cubs were in poor condition and had not received veterinary care; 3. Cages not meeting minimal size requirements. (We do not yet have information as to which organisation owns the bears to be imported).

Public sentiment against using exotic animals in captivity is growing, worldwide, and consequently the term ‘circus' is becoming taboo. Sanctuaries/habitats take in some of the poor animals no longer wanted and discarded by circuses and travelling road shows, but many of these so called sanctuaries are not the safe havens that the public expects them to be. Oftentimes we see exotic animals supposedly ‘rescued' from circus environments, only to be traipsed all over the world, confined and forced to perform. Is this what a responsible habitat does with its animals? Is this not another form of ‘circus'?

The main concerns of the SPCA remain as follows:

Transport: The animals will be expected to endure a sea voyage from Florida in containers. This is highly stressful and could certainly be considered a form of cruelty.

Housing: The promoter has indicated that the animals will be housed in the transport containers while here. We are concerned about temperature within the containers, size of cages, whether there will be sufficient ventilation and light (and who determines this), whether they will be shackled, and whether their conditions will be sufficiently sanitary. Also, how will the waste be disposed of? (health and environmental issues).

Safety: Wild cats exhibited to the public have been responsible for eight deaths and over 60 injuries.

Clayton Rosaire, trainer for Big Cat Habitat, has admitted having to go to the hospital five times for serious injuries; some of these injuries occurred during shows.

We are not aware of any plan in place in the possible event of one or more animals escaping.

Veterinary care: The promoter admitted in a radio interview several days ago that he did not have specific plans for specialised veterinary care for the exotic animals while here. This illustrates a lack of planning, ignorance as to the special needs of exotic animals and a lack of concern for the animals. In our view, having specialised vets travel with the animals during transport and while here should be one of the pre-requisites for application approval.

Implications for Bermuda: When circuses with animal acts are banned in a country, circus groups ‘migrate' to other countries where ethical consciousness of people is not as high.

Do we want Bermuda to fall under the latter category in the eyes of the rest of the world or do we want to be seen as a country that is taking a stance in the interest of animal rights? Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Singapore and Sweden are some of the countries that do not allow such shows and there are currently proposals in England and Scotland to ban shows from using non-domesticated animals in their presentations.

As I mentioned in my last letter and I repeat, ‘you may recall the public dissatisfaction some three years ago when large animals were brought to the Island for entertainment purposes. Not only did the animals perform in the circus, but a tiger was put on display in a small cage at a local gas station. People complained to us about animals being kept in cramped cages and elephants' feet being tethered. Be assured that there will be an outcry if another circus ‘comes to town'.

We would be grateful for your intervention which would speak volumes, not only for all exotic animals kept in captivity for purposes of profit, but also for the ethical consciousness of Bermuda and its people.

Please assist the SPCA and countless others in speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves.

HEATHER KROMER

President

SPCA

Our wonderful hospice

May 8, 2006

Dear Sir,

Our dear mother, the late Marion Lindo, was admitted to Agape House so that she could receive specialised pain management care. This was a difficult decision for the family. Nonetheless, we wanted her to have the care that was needed.

Soon after being admitted, it became evident that mom was in the right place. The nurses and their aids were professional, kind and compassionate. Even the kitchen and house-keeping staff did all they could to help. In addition, Mom's condition was monitored daily by doctors from KEMH and her family doctor.

Agape House staff and their co-workers, the Friends of Hospice, showed great concern for the family as well. They were always available to show support and answer our questions. Visiting hours were unlimited. In fact, one could sleep there if they so wished. The impression was that this was a “home away from home” for our dear loved one.

We are very privileged in Bermuda to have a hospice of this nature. Certainly, Agape House is fulfilling a vital role in the community, one that will continue to cross the paths of many families. Thus their efforts deserve our full support.

May God bless the people who have made it their vocation to share in the burdens of others.

CASSIE MONIZ

Devonshire

A teacher who cares

May 5, 2006

Dear Sir,

I would like time in your paper to salute a hard working CedarBridge S1 science teacher, Ms Sue Ross.

“And the Teacher of the Year award goes to ... Ms Sue Ross!”

She is at the top of my list for teachers who go over and beyond their call of duty for our young adults. Sue Ross is a teacher who generally cares for her students and wants to see them succeed. She has been a beacon of light for me as well. She is dedicated and caring, she is prompt to answer my e-mails or calls, always. She doesn't just contact me about the negative but about the positive things as well. I wanted to just tell Sue Ross how thankful I am that she is going the extra mile for her students and for my son.

Keep up the good work, Ms Sue Ross, and thank you so much. May God continue to use you to help many of our young man and woman succeed in life.

To the other teachers out there doing the same, may God continue to bless and strengthen you and thanks. Remember that you may think no one notices the extra you do for our children but one day you to may be surprised.

PEMBROKE MOM

Facts don't lie

May 7, 2006

Dear Sir,

This was sent to Minister of the Environment Neletha Butterfield and copied to The Royal Gazette.

Dear Minister,

This letter is to request that you do not permit DNA Entertainment to bring exotic animals to Bermuda for its upcoming Animal Extravaganza.

I am concerned not only for the animals' wellbeing, but for the message we will send our children and the damage to Bermuda's reputation should we allow this event to be held.

The animals that DNA proposes to bring are from Big Cat Habitat, an organisation run by Kay Rosaire. Despite the misleading name and its charitable status, Big Cat Habitat is an animal circus. Increasing public awareness of the conditions that circus animals are trained and live in have prompted circus operators to try and avoid the reputation of cruelty by using words like “sanctuary”, “rescue”, and “conservation”. But a look at Ms Rosaire's organisation and some research shows that Big Cat Habitat is a circus that exploits animals for profit.

Ms Rosaire's biography tells us that she comes from eight generations of animal trainers. What is not mentioned is that the eight generations before her trained animals for circuses. Not extravaganzas, not exhibitions, but circuses. In this family, the apple has not fallen far from the tree. Big Cat Habitat has demonstrations where the cats perform tricks for audiences. So much for the supposed natural environment that the animals live in. Tigers do not jump through hoops and shake paws with human masters in their natural conditions. The only way to train wild animals is to break them down and force them to submit to their master, typically by using force. Ms Rosaire would have us believe the she loves her animals and would only treat them with the respect they deserve. The facts say otherwise.

When considering DNA's application, please consider that Kay Rosaire has been cited by a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspector for failure to provide veterinary care for her animals. It was noted that her lion cubs were in poor condition, did not receive proper medical attention, and that the size of their cages did not comply with legislated requirements. Please also consider that Kay Rosaire leases her animals out to circuses that have repeatedly been cited by the USDA for failing to meet minimum standards regarding the care of animals, including medical attention, transportation, and maintenance of medical records. If Ms Rosaire loves her animals so much, why does she allow them to be placed in harmful situations? I believe the answer is that Ms Rosaire is in the business of making money, not providing a safe home for her animals. Big Cat Habitat is not a sanctuary at all - it is a scam-tuary.

In a recent newspaper interview, Ms Rosaire said that circuses have come off the road because animal rights activists have pushed the animal acts out. If it were not for raised awareness about circus animals conditions, Ms Rosaire would still be touring.

Perhaps Ms Rosaire is also hedging her bets. In 2004, a chimpanzee owned by a Rosaire family business, bit a circus goer while posing for pictures.

The patron had to be treated in the hospital. Do we wish to allow our children to be put in the position where they can be bit or clawed by a tiger? These are wild animals and despite the assurances to the contrary, they can be dangerous and they can injure or kill.

The Animal Extravaganza is being billed as a family event. What message are we teaching our children when we watch the exploitation of animals for our amusement? What lessons are being learned when a child sees an animal being whipped and forced to submit to humans? What will we tell our children when they ask us, “How does that lady get the tiger to do that?” Will we tell the truth and say by whipping them, by depriving them of their dignity, by offering food as a reward for entertainment?

We have been given the responsibility of caring for all creatures on the earth, great and small. Are we living up to the task when we allow animals to be abused?

DNA Entertainment has not been very forthcoming about their plans to bring animals to the island until very recently. Now it is clear why.

If we allow Kay Rosaire to bring her wild animals to the Island, we are condoning the mistreatment of some of God's most magnificent creatures. While we do not have the power to stop Ms Rosaire from operating in the United States, we have a real opportunity to say “not in my backyard”, and to put our morals and ethics before our fun and amusement. Please do not grant permission to DNA to bring these animals to our Island.

SHELLEY FOX

Pembroke