April 16, 2013

Dear Sir,

Saturday’s VIP Excellence Awards was a fabulous event! I would like to thank the VIP Executive team, as well as VIP Production team. Hip, hip hooray to each of you. It is an honour beyond belief to win the Transportation Award. I was nominated as a bus operator — not a driver, (ha ha ha)! It is hard work, that is why I am so, so very touched to be recognised as a winner. I would like to thank the Tourism Department, the sponsors, as well as my co-workers. I would like to give a special thank you to each and every person local and our foreign guests who nominated me, with many thanks, thank you so very much. I would like for the management of Department of Public Transportation for continued support. I would like to acknowledge my mother Leonette (Anderson) Clarke who had prepared the foundation of love, support and acceptance as her child. A special thank you for my aunt Winnifred Smith who came in place of my mother who could not attend.

A rewarding thank you to my late grandmother Sylvia (Tonta) Anderson Simons, who influenced me to always be the best person I can be. Always be kind, respectful, show love, treat them as if they are your loved one and always remember son, you never know what a person is going through in life, so by you bringing a little smile from them you have done your job! Nevermind the negative, your sometimes going to get. They might even try to bring you down. It’s an obstacle you will overcome! Learn to be strong move forward with a positive attitude and you will shine! I love and miss you grandma! Thank you for the words of wisdom. And I know your always watching over me. To my loving grandmother Valancia Sharpe Manning, thank you for coming into my life and showing your unconditional love, support, encouragement, and words of wisdom. My father Neil Virgil, thank you. My adopted father Ronald Trott, thank you.

To the Government of Bermuda, Minister Dunkley, Minister Crockwell, and the Permanent Secretary Mr Richardson, please, please, please, my only request is we need high tech cameras with audio on the busses. I know the new buses which are coming in soon have them, but ... we need all of the buses to be installed with these cameras please. For the safety of your staff, locals and tourist, it’s very needed. In conclusion I would like to congratulate all nominees and finalist — we are all winners. What a fabulous night!

MARK ANDERSON

Bus Operator