December 10, 2013

Dear Sir,

It has long been my vision that Hamilton could be one of the most beautiful night-time cityscapes in the world, if the rooflines and windows of most of the buildings from Hamilton Fairmont to the Cabinet Building (and even beyond and behind — like the House of Parliament and Cathedral) were outlined in white lights. The lights could be powered by solar panels, and left up year round for special occasions, making Bermuda a destination for shopping, for special and romantic occasions (at night), and encouraging more night-time activity in the city.

Imagine how we could promote Bermuda as the most beautiful Christmas shopping destination, and the most romantic Valentine weekend destination …. A concert destination …. Night-time dinner cruises …. etc … if we had such a cityscape at night! (See the You Tube video of Andrea Boccelli’s concert in Portofino, Italy — and then imagine such concerts in Hamilton — Bermuda’s Harbour/city is just as beautiful, if not more so)….

I mentioned this to the Premier, and he was very taken with the idea …. However, there was no budget for the project …. I am pleased to report that the private sector has come together to provide concept, drawings, advice, cost-efficient lights, equipment and manpower to decorate the Cabinet building throughout the Christmas season.

It is my hope that the Cabinet Building lighting, (using only LED lights which were donated) all of which costs the approximate equivalent of ONE 150 watt bulb or less than 5% of incandescent lights, inspires other business owners/building managers to aim to do the same thing over the next few years, until we have “lit up Hamilton” at night and created this wonderful night-time cityscape to be the backdrop for all kinds of wonderful activities year round.

My heartfelt thanks to those companies who, in the spirit of the Season and to promote the vision, contributed to the initiative — Bermuda Development Associates Ltd., who provided the concept and design, Joy Lusher Real Estate Ltd., Air Care, Belco, (Ascendant), Mailboxes Unlimited, Redeemed Construction, Undercover Tent Rentals and Sousa’s Landscaping, who provided all required funds, manpower, expertise, and equipment. A big thank you also to Cabinet and Public Works and Engineering Staff, who quickly caught on to the idea and were enthusiastically instrumental in facilitating and executing the project. The lighting ceremony this past Saturday evening, just before the Boat Parade, was flawless and spectacular!

The public are invited to come out and see the fruits of our labour and to imagine the total vision …. Hopefully, this will not only inspire the Corporation of Hamilton, businesses and building owners to work towards this goal for the 2014 Holiday Season and beyond, but will also encourage the public to use LED lighting whenever possible to save energy and costs. For more information about the energy saving LED lighting, which can be supplied in custom lengths for individual buildings, please contact me at diana1@vermontel.net.

Thank you for allowing me the space to express my vision and my thanks to those responsible for helping to start the process of making a vision become a reality.

Diana Martin

Warwick