July 9, 2002

Dear Sir,

How absurd! This is like telling Air Canada or US Air that they can only carry dentists or plumbers to Bermuda. Either an Air Operator is authorised to conduct an Air Transport Operation (in this case aerial), or it is not. This smacks of third-world politics. Clearly the Department of Civil Aviation has an over inflated idea of its purpose. That's the way I see it anyway.

CAPTAIN RANDY PITCHER

July 10, 2002

Dear Sir,

First of all I would just like to inform you that the only gang in Bermuda is the Bermuda Police Service.

Talk about youth gangs in Bermuda is highly exaggerated. There are no gangs in Bermuda.

If I live in a certain area, and hang with other youths from that area, that is my "crew", or my "clique".

If someone from a different area gets into a confrontation with someone from my area, I defend my boy. It is as simple as that.

Since Bermuda is so small, we are certain to run into each other again.

That means another confrontation. Simple as that.

As for talk of trying to conquer land, that person needs to stop watching TV. That is the most absurd remark yet of the so-called "gang" situation.

Youth from town and youth from country do not get along. True. But there are no real gangs like Bloods and Crips on this Island.

To the media, please stop blowing the situation out of proportion.

There are no gangs in Bermuda.

INCARCERATED

West Gate

July 13, 2002

Dear Sir,

Well done Roger Sheratt for standing up for your Corporation workers who suffered verbal abuse from someone more concerned with overgrown vegetation and wild chickens than human beings!

If it is of any comfort to those maligned workers, rest assured that this is only the latest in verbal attacks on workmen, gardeners and Public Works employees who undertake their daily tasks nearby (but not on) this person's properties.

As for the superior attitude as a "born Bermudian", it makes one wonder how the non-Bermudian spouse takes it.

NUT-WATCHER

Hamilton

June 28, 2002

Dear Sir,

After one assess the merits and demerits of our current Parliamentarians there must surely be a place for our outstanding citizen W A (Toppy) Cowen.

For I know of no fellow citizen who does more for Bermuda; or cares more for Bermuda that Toppy!

So what are you waiting for UBP and PLP?

Citizens of Mr. Cowens calibre have got to be an asset.

W. SCOTT

Smith's

July 9, 2002

Dear Sir,

May we use your column to express our appreciation for all of those who lent their support for the Community Celebration which was held on July 1, 2002?

We would like to thank the Bermuda Cathedral for hosting the event and the Faith Communities for their assistance in coordinating the event. Thanks goes to those who participated directly, including; Derick (C.J.) Symonds & Brenda Dale, serving as MC's and the list of participants who made presentations in word, music and dance.

Special mention should go to Julie Madeiros and Lloyd Mathews who spent three weeks practising with the 30 or so individuals who came together for the event in what we are calling the 'One Bermuda Chorus'. As a result of that work, the Chorus was able to let their '... Voices Rise...' as a part of the Celebration. Thanks must go to Wesley Methodist Church for providing a facility for the practice sessions.

Appreciation must be expressed to the local media for their coverage of the significance of this aspect of our heritage and their role in assisting in facilitating wider awareness. In this regard we must also offer thanks to Belco as well as Marshall Diel & Myers for their support in sponsoring advertisements for the Celebration.

Thanks must also go to Hester for adding humour to the matter - this was in regards to an oversight of ours. This led to us missing six signatories from our ad, from the 36 local personalities who lent their support to effort. We would take this opportunity to apologise for this mistake.

That having been said, let us take one last opportunity to thank all who played some part in the Celebration.

GLENN FUBLER

Beyond Barriers Coordinator

Hamilton

July 5, 2002

Dear Sir,

Government seems to have drawn a line in the sand by granting status to that group of people who were on the Voters Register as of May 1, 1976.

This creates a small group of parents and grandparents of Bermudians, who arrived in Bermuda after the cut-off dates of August 1, 1969 and May 1, 1976. These people will be denied status.

The long-term residents issue, has mainly been fought, with the idea of uniting families. This aspect of the bill turns this policy on its head.

I know of a number of people on the Voters Register who do not have Bermudian children. However, they will become first class citizens, while parents of Bermudians - who may have been here longer, will be second.

Government needs to rectify this aspect of the bill, or it will surely come back to haunt them. Gradual granting of status to this small group of people as they reach the 30 year residency mark would seem fair.

30+ YEARS AND STILL WAITING

Pembroke

Ads are misleading

July 9, 2002

Dear Sir,

Many of us have noticed that too often jobs advertised in the newspapers are blatantly tailored to match the resume of the non-Bermudian who the company is trying to keep but whose job must be re-advertised. The advertising requirement is in the spirit of Bermudianisation and it is unfortunate that in many cases (certain "clean image" large insurance companies for example) the Human Resources Department folk perpetuating this are Bermudians themselves; but of course their own careers and salaries are paramount so why rock the boat and do what's right?

Some ads end with code words such as "Bermudians preferred" or even spell it out with "only Bermudians need apply". At least in these work permit renewal cases the Bermudian public can scrutinise the stringent requirements and decide whether to apply and the non-Bermudian wastes no time applying.

So there we have it, quite a range from real opportunities to a lot of time wasting while companies protect another work permit instead of a genuine attempt to bring in a capable Bermudian.

I have a logical idea which removes the mystery, encourages integrity, reduces time wasting by individuals and companies, and clearly promotes Bermudianisation: All job advertisements must state at the bottom if it relates to a work permit renewal. This would be more effective and less controversial than any non-Bermudian job register and wouldn't cost a thing!

PHILOSOPHER

Paget

Keep an open mind

Dear Sir,

Having read Monday's Royal Gazette, I notice that the Government is continuing with their misguided attempt to curb emissions by banning two stroke motorcycles without making allowances for changes in technology. Rather than adopting emissions standards which both two and four stroke motorcycles will have to meet on equal terms, they seem to be hell bent in skewing the legislation to suit the dealers needs.

The present proposal by Government is to adopt European, Japanese or American Emission Standards, but then in their own twist put a blanket ban on two-stroke powered cycles over 50cc after the year 2004 even if they can meet the same emission and power limits! Why? This provides the perfect excuse to import the new 150cc four-strokes, without any consideration to size and weight restrictions! Imagine 300lb. + bikes some with dimensions matching those of the police bikes all trying to park within the cycle bays in the city of Hamilton!

The funny thing is that the same "environmentalist dealers" who have pushed for this change insist on continuing to import their cheaper, dirty and low technology 50cc two-strokes for rentals and 16 year olds. They have pressured Government to ban two-strokes over 50cc and increase the size limit to 150cc four-stroke, but then get to keep their smoky best sellers below 50cc! Smells kind of fishy if you ask me! Anyway my issue isn't with the obvious huge financial gains the dealers will make, but with the inconsistent and illogical changes to the legislation biased against two-stroke engines despite the advantages in design.

With companies like Piaggio, Aprilia, Peugeot and over a handful of other companies now selling or designing low emission two stroke motorcycles and cars, it would be a serious mistake to pass a law banning a technology which will benefit the air quality of Bermuda in the future. The new generation two-strokes can run circles around the proposed four-strokes as far as emissions are concerned, so why create legislation, which will prevent them from being allowed on our roads!

In fact this technology has been touted in the November 2001 issue of the National Geographic. The short clip highlighted an environmental competition run by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Amongst the experimental two and four stroke snowmobiles it was a two-stroke powered vehicle, which won the top prize for the best combination of low emissions, quiet operation, fuel efficiency and performance.

Therefore I would urge the Government not to blindly listen to noisy, naive protagonists who seem more interested in their own selfish gains, but to remain open minded, therefore making intelligent choices for the future.

SCOTT MELLO

Warwick