Everyone plays a role

March 15, 2002

Dear Sir,

Once again, as regular as lilies at Easter time, we hear from the "Capital A Boys". Now that the big projects are winding up, I guess Bermuda's architectural community (that is the one's with that famous capital A, of course) are casting around for business. Mr. Butterworth resumes the bleating about all these nasty Architectural Services who are taking money out of his pocket.

Interesting thing about architects, when they are raking in the cash ...not a peep. When the market softens... Oh Boy! What actually happens is that while they are bringing in truckloads of cash on the big projects, the Architectural Service people are quietly going about their business providing a service for the Smith's and the Jones' who simply want that little addition, or that swimming pool, or the apartment in the basement. You know, that small stuff the big boys can't be bothered with. Too busy with the real projects I guess. For Mr. Butterworth to liken their situation to that of doctors is comical at best, and sadly somewhat ludicrous at worst. If a doctor slips up, you could be dead. One of The Capital A Boys slips up - maybe you get some ugly buildings, and we do see some of those around, folks!

Bermuda is like any other small microcosm community. You get to know what does certain things well. Stephen West designs a Bermuda house better than anyone on the Island. Sjur Linberg does beautiful commercial buildings. Actually, and to give kudos to Mr. Butterworth, his Bank of Bermuda building on Bermudiana Road is a truly splendid structure. Hats off to Frazer.

The clientele for architecture in Bermuda, as everyone knows, ranges anywhere from people who simply need that little job put through Planning, to the Berlusconis, the Deusses or the Perots of this world. There is plenty of work out there for everyone. There is no contention to the fact that there "are" cowboys out there - Capital A Boys included. We have architects who are actually illustrators. We have sweat shops that churn out little houses made of ticky-tacky (and yes they do look all the same). We have "Um-Ums " with computers out there, who don't understand the structure of a dog house, let along a building.

I like to draw up a Fees Agreement for my Clients. I take enormous pains to make sure it is clear and concise, and I try to fool no one. It states clearly what my fees and commitments are in relation to the Client, and the project at hand. It also states clearly that things like engineering fees, survey fees, Planning fees and blue prints are to be covered by the Client - not by me. So no one is pulling a fast one here.

There are approximately 40 individuals today who provide Architectural Design Services. Many of these people I know personally, and nearly all have worked at one local architectural firm or another. Most are extremely capable designers who know the Planning regulations back to front. This is why people go to them. They charge a reasonable fee... and they get your drawings through Planning. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to grasp that one. The greater majority of these people are black Bermudians, so if you want to mess with this lobby "Do so at your peril", as our illustrious Madame Premier once put it, I wouldn't like to threaten the likelihood of this group. Neither would it be in order to even consider such a thing.

Also, I can't think of one of these people who would take on a multistorey building, or get involved in a capital project. Not there thing... The very reason they are out there on their own, is to avoid all that aggravation. Besides, as Mr. Butterworth quite rightly intimates, many of them are not properly qualified for such work. But they know that, so what's all the fuss? As a past employee with the Department of Planning, I have heard it said "in house", so to speak, that submissions by Design Services people are as often as not, far more complete, and even superior to those produced by The Capital A Boys! Go figure... Let's face it people, once most of you have Planning permission, the last thing you want hanging around is the person who produced the drawings. If you do... fine. Then there is a Project Supervision Fee and "Let's get on with it".

If I want a house designed, one which I and my family plan to live in for some years, I want to sit down with someone and have it designed "the way I want it to be". Not the way some one else thinks it ought to be. I'm not trying to get my house in The Bermudian Magazine as Design of the Year. I just want the thing designed the way I like at a price I can afford, or one which seems reasonable in relation to the project.

JACK GAUNTLETT

Sandys

Stop littering, smokers

March 14, 2002

Dear Sir,

Re: Come on Bermuda Lets keep Bermuda Beautiful, and Clean

It is with great displeasure that I have witnessed once again another smoker tossing a cigarette "belt" out of their car window on to the road. On various occasions, I have also witnessed pedestrians casually disposing of cigarette butts in this same manner. I am by no means writing to tell any one that they should NOT smoke as that is their choice. I am saying however, to dispose of finished cigarettes responsibly. The increase in litter scattered through out the island has become a reason for alarming concern. Not to mention people who grossly spit on the road from cars, bikes or just walking.

This may not be a big deal to some. However, it is a big deal to many! Bermudians have a right to be proud of Bermuda's natural beauty of which we can take no credit. We can however, take credit and pride for Bermuda's cleanliness. The KBB have had numerous successful campaigns stressing the importance of keeping Bermuda beautiful. Bermuda has been known worldwide for its beauty and cleanliness. A fact to be proud of. Keeping Bermuda beautiful is not just the responsibility of the Corporation of Hamilton or Works & Engineering, Government etc., but the duty of each citizen who resides in the beautiful islands of Bermuda.

WENDY S. HARVEY

Warwick

An idyllic dream

March 15, 2002

Dear Sir,

I had a dream last night - not a pleasant one. I dreamed that I'd been sent to some idyllic paradise island where the people were in the process of electing a new president. The new president told everybody that life was not about things - not about new roads, sports stadiums, incinerator plants or schools. She said that life was about "people".

She said that it was the duty of the government to provide adequate housing at affordable prices for the natives. I did a bit of sightseeing, then return to my hotel room and tried to take a nap. I'd just fallen into a gentle slumber when all the natives came banging on my doors and windows asking me for a place to spend the night - phew! - I woke up and found I was still in Bermuda.

C. DEARING

Hamilton Parish

Letter of thanks

March 19, 2002

Dear Sir,

We refer to your recent Lifestyle article highlighting Sandy Mitchell's Walk, and indeed, your article yesterday informing the general public that he had completed the Walk successfully. May we, through The Royal Gazette, express our gratitude to all those who supported Sandy, and Hamilton Lions Club, in this fund raising challenge?

We hope to have raised over $11,000 for local sight charities, and this could not have been achieved without the generosity of individuals and our corporate sponsors (the latter being Belco, General Atlantic, Butterfield & Vallis, Barritt's, AS & K, Market Place, Positive Results and also Blue Hole Hill & Port Royal Gas Stations). Outstanding pledge sheets (and any late donations!) can be returned to Andrew Myers. Phone 292-7478 or e-mail abmcml.bm.

SANDY'S JOURNEY FOR SIGHT COMMITTEE

Hamilton Lions Club