April 22, 2004

Dear Sir,

I know the Bermudian magazine is coming out shortly with their annual "awards of excellence".

Would anyone consider also publishing "worst" service awards? Holding for five minutes or more on a "customer service" line seems to be the norm for certain companies. Anybody brave enough?

April 26, 2004

Dear Sir,

I submit this letter with a fair amount of trepidation. It is not my nature to cast aspersions, especially on some of the long suffering, hard-working members of our chauffeur community, but I feel obliged to relate an incident that happened just a short time ago.

Robin's Nest was expecting a guest from Vancouver and keeping an eye out for the taxi. Instead of a taxi, our guest arrived carrying one suitcase and dragging another larger one down our steep driveway. No mean feat. When asked where the cab was, he replied the driver had never been down to our property and was concerned about his new taxi, and chose not to come down. He was dropped at the main road and had to find his way.

He had not made a note of the cab number, and the driver had not helped him with the luggage. Here is a visitor who had left home yesterday, had to get up at an "oh, my God" hour, change planes, negotiate Customs and Immigration, only to have to drag his luggage to his final destination.

This is not the first time this has happened. It would be interesting to see the reaction from our first line ambassadors, if the customer refused to pay the fare. After all, they contracted to be driven from point A to point B ? not somewhere in between.

My praises and thanks to our good taxi drivers, with their cheerful and courteous personalities. They mirror Bermuda, bless them.

Robin's Nest parking area has ample space to drive in, back around and head out. Large trucks and bulldozers have been doing it for years.

April 10, 2004

Dear Sir,

In response to "the Cobbler's" letter on April 3 on Michael Dolding, first let me say your letter has only confirmed that the recruitment system in the Government is flawed and that justice has not been served in Mr. Dolding's case!

I think the system needs to be changed so that no matter what Government is in power, it can't wrongly manipulate it to suit its ends. If Mr. Dolding had won this case it would have resulted in a tighter system which could have protected all Bermudians.

What do you mean when you say born Bermudians? Mr. Dolding is a Bermudian by law, so what point are you making? There are not categories of Bermudians ... we are all supposedly the same and thus have all the same rights by our laws, as Premier Alex Scott confirmed recently!

I see Mr. Dolding as a hero. He represents the voice of all those who have been mistreated and abused by a corrupt system over the years. If this Government has gone against the rules it must be accountable for its actions.

I applaud Mr. Dolding for his bravery to take a stand, not for the rights of the white population as you seem to see it but for the rights of all Bermudians.

It seems to me by your letter that you have been mistreated yourself and hold a grudge. Instead of mocking those who have invested time and money into fighting for what is right, try focusing your energy in a positive manner.

I must say as a Bermudian I question the future of this Island based not on the Government that is in place but based on those in the community who seem to be so blinded, biased and negative that they see the difference between those who are born Bermudian and those who aren't.

It is sad that you feel the need to mock another man's loss to make a statement. It is regrettable that you seem to feel that his unjust treatment levels the playing fields of history. I feel sad for your soul and integrity based on your comments.

So in response to your "get over it" comment, I say the same to you and throw your words back into your face ... move on from the past ... and get over it yourself. By the way I am a born Bermudian ... whatever that means!

Thanks for the help

April 16, 2004

Dear Sir,

I would like to express my thanks to the emergency staff at the King Edward VII Hospital the day of my accident.

The fracture clinic, the nurses at the Cooper Ward, the people who helped me on the road, the lady who helped me sit in her car before the ambulance came. May God touch all of you.

Many thanks again

Deal with pressing issues

May 2, 2004

Dear Sir,

"Independence from what?" is a question often asked by callers to the local radio talk shows. I think the people who really want Independence are those who are not satisfied with the power they already have and want a lot more! Everybody should be asking why?

I would like these people to give us all a logical answer to the question: "Why are you pushing so hard for Independence when there are so many other issues to be resolved and many promises you have not kept?"

Some talk show callers who are obviously PLP supporters say the PLP needs more time. Time for what? To spend more of the taxpayers' money on unimportant things?

It's been almost six years, and this Government has spent millions on fast ferries which are of no benefit to the majority of the population, especially mothers who have to take their children to school before going to work, and then pick them up after work.

The hospital is a disgrace, but the rates and medical insurance keep going up! I could go on forever! This Government has given themselves a raise in salary and ignored the pleas of taxi drivers who have not had a raise in years. This is not a government for the people. This is a Government for the PLP.

I just cannot understand why people who were worse off after five years of PLP rule, voted for them again! It boggles the mind.

Keep Bermuda clean

May 3, 2004

Dear Sir,

As a guest resident of your beautiful island, I participated in last weekend's End to End Walk and would like to express my congratulations to the organising committee.

Likewise, I would like to thank the sponsors as well as the many people present along the route. They were a tremendous support to the participants, be it through the liquids and food provided or their words of encouragement. I was really impressed.

However, there were a number of things which drew my attention during the walk. First, the female participants certainly outnumbered the men. Well done to the ladies but one wonders where were the men? Secondly, much to my regret the disposal of empty water bottles, chocolate wrappers, orange skins etc. were many times disposed of by simply throwing them into the bushes or dropped along the side road. What a shame, the beauty of Bermuda was at its best last Saturday morning and here we were, doing our utmost to destroy it.

Perhaps next year, the organisers could seek the support of the local authorities to strategically deploy a number of bins along the route. These can easily be collected after the event. Finally, what a pity that none of Bermuda's musical talent was not on display at Dockyard. It would have been wonderful to have walked the last metres of my seven hour ordeal with music in my ear. At least, that is what I imagined as I saw the finishing line!

On the other hand, there were many other pleasant experiences and moments which I enjoyed during my walk. For example, the beauty of Bermuda's flora. my conversation with a lady from Toronto as we walked along Paget regarding our children and during the last hour of my walk, with one of Bermuda's retired Chief Fire officers about the islands immaculate blue skies, turquoise sea and its hundred shades of greens.

In the five months I have been in Bermuda you continue to amaze me. No wonder I am certainly looking forward to the next 18 months.

Well done Bermuda, last Saturday you made yourself proud.