August 8, 2003

Dear Sir,

Hope you are doing well after the hurricane. As I listened to reports of the damage caused by Fabain, I wondered about the girl I left behind 30 years ago, when I was a US Marine guard stationed at NAS Bermuda.

It was a sad time in November 1973, when I finished my 18-month tour and I left her behind.

I wanted to finish my education and travel. At 22-years-old, getting married did not fit in my plans.

It took me many years to realise the hurt I caused Irene when I got on the Yellowbird for my trip to California and civilian life.

I finished my four years of college and went to work in law enforcement, later switching to firefighting, which I have done for the past 24 years. I have been married for 23 years, with two children and one grandchild.

Within the next few years, I hope to make it back to Bermuda again.

I hope to look up Irene, if she still lives there, have her meet my wife, and maybe make her understand why things worked out the way they did. I hope she found happiness.

So, my question is... does anyone have any idea how I could try and locate someone on the Island 30 years later.

Irene was Portuguese, with the last name of Correia (Not sure on the complete spelling of the last name, but the pronunciation was CO-RAY-A).

Her sister won the Miss Portuguese Bermuda contest or was first runner up in 1973, or it may have been 1972. I remember her picture being in your paper or the Bermuda Sun.

Any information anyone could give me would be appreciated.

Thank You.

September 14, 2003

Dear Sir,

The response to the suggestion that we build a bridge over the Causeway and one from Coney Island to Ferry Reach has been enormous. People from all walks of life responded very positively to the suggestion.

Telephone calls, conversations on the sidewalks, in restaurants, even calls from overseas from friends of Bermuda; everywhere people were favourably interested in the idea. I was very pleased to have encountered several of our friends from exempted companies who indicated that they would be interested in assisting with funding. The purpose of this note is to hopefully contribute further to the discussion.

In my previous letter, I guessed it would cost about $200m and offered a suggestion for taxation as a means of raising funds for the project. The suggested monetary amounts are probably way off base, but the method of raising funds is a practical one, and was meant as a suggestion for discussion to show it could be done.

I am certain there are persons far more expert than I who could refine ways to raise funds through taxation and otherwise, that would be far less painful to the taxpayer. For example I suggested if all of the adult population, including work permit holders, and Bermuda residents (about 45,000) persons were taxed $600 a year that would raise $27m annually for starters. In addition there would be a graduated tax on companies depending on their size.

It would be wrong to tax all adults $600 per year. Recognition would have to be given to the approximate 12,000 senior citizens, many of whom are on fixed incomes and could not afford to pay that amount. How many who could afford it would have to be determined.

Further, there are many families on lower incomes who would wish to contribute something, but could not afford to pay $600 per year. If they were taken out of the equation, and/or their contribution reduced, it is likely that $20m to $22m could be raised annually, and we could pay for the bridges in a reasonable period. Or the payback period could be extended to ease the annual burden. I believe the public would wish to have every assurance the tax would stop once the bridges were paid for. Indeed it would be a wise government who offered the public such a tax benefit.

Another matter for discussion at this time is "how to get started". It is obvious that a feasibility study incorporating engineering, pylon testing, financing, time and manpower required, method of tendering, and where best to ask for request for proposals, all of which the government is quite expert at doing, would be the next order of the day. An exercise, which is likely to take a year or more once the government made a decision.

Again, I am aware of men and women in the community and in government who are far more expert in these matters than I.

I hope they will respond and contribute to the discussion so that the government can get a proper weighting of the interest in the community. The one thing we must not do is to let the events of Fabian become dulled and forgotten. We must continue to remember those Bermudians who lost their lives and their families.

It is also important that we be patient. It is going to take the government a little while to discuss the possibility of a bridge across the Causeway and from Coney Island, before coming to a decision. However, for the sake of future generations, let us make sure that it is not forgotten and pushed aside.

September 15, 2003

Dear Sir,

Please allow me a little space to continue 'the prolific letter writing' which has made fans of such people as your very own political cartoonist Peter Woolcock.

Several weeks ago, ZBM news asked members of the public whether or not they felt the Premier of this country should have an official residence. One elderly white gentleman supported the idea saying it lends dignity to the office. I wholeheartedly agree with him.

Providing the Premier with an official residence unquestionably adds greater stature to the position. The present and all future Premiers - whether they come from Middle Town or Tucker's Town, Friswells Hill or Fairyland - should not only be obligated but consider it an honour to live there.

However I do not feel that 'The Laurels', where former Premier the Honourable Jennifer Smith currently resides, is up to standard. I would suggest that when she vacates those premises Government immediately sell the property and use the monies received to carry out major renovations to 'Camden' so as to make it suitable as a live-in residence.

Renovations should ensure as far as possible that the character of the building reflects Bermudian architecture. Interior decorations should likewise employ the use of furnishings that are indicative of our Bermudian heritage. Please understand I am not suggesting that we provide our the Premier with ostentatious accommodation befitting royalty but certainly our 'first family' deserve an official residence that adequately reflects the importance of the office.

On another note, Bermuda as a country stood up very well to hurricane Fabian. Though we suffered much structural damage and most importantly the lost of four precious lives, the fierceness with which those winds struck could have resulted in far greater devastation. I am neither a saint nor a religious fanatic but I believe that it was only due to the mercy and grace of God that we came through it as well as we did.

I have listened to the praise heaped upon many who bravely assisted and continue to assist in the recovery efforts. Various organisations such as the Bermuda Regiment, the Police, Belco and many others undoubtedly deserve this.

However I believe that we all ought to take time and give thanks and praise to the Almighty. To this end I implore the Premier the Honourable W. Alexander Scott to set aside a Day of Praise and Thanksgiving to God for bringing us through the storm.

A huge ecumenical service (similar to that held by the Americans to commemorate the 9/11 tragedy) could be held at the national stadium in which representatives of various Christian denominations and other religious groups would be invited to give short speeches and prayer, in fact it would be a blessing if the Premier himself led this country in the Lord's prayer or a reading of Psalms 23, what a wonderful example of faith and gratitude to God that would be, to see the political leadership of this country on bended knee acknowledging the 'Leader of the Universe'.

The whole ceremony could be televised live so that those who are unable to attend in person could view the proceedings.

This should take place before the country settles too comfortably into normalcy and with it a sense of complacency and forgetfulness.

Finally with respect to the Causeway I feel government has no choice but to 'bite the bullet' and build a new bridge. This should appropriately be named the 'Sir W. Alexander Scott' Causeway, primarily because it would be initiated under his watch as leader of the country.

I also feel a bridge would be an appropriate symbol by which to honour the man because already we see in his leadership a determination to build bridges between an often divided and fractionalised Bermudian population.

September 12, 2003

Dear Sir,

I was one of many to be in Bermuda during Hurricane Fabian.

I was here for a conference and due to circumstances, stayed several extra days. We stayed at the Fairmont Southampton Princess Hotel, and I feel compelled to write about the incredible staff at that hotel.

Few people have experience dealing with a hurricane of this severity, but the Southampton Princess workers more than rose to the occasion. They not only cared for their guests before and during the evacuation, they then resettled us, fed us and showed countless small and large courtesies - under very trying circumstances.

For example, my mother didn't anticipate staying the three extra days until the airport could reopen, and ran out of her blood pressure medication. The staff made sure a doctor contacted me and then phoned in an emergency prescription to the pharmacy. In the meantime, they were ready to canvass among themselves to come up with the proper medication if necessary. Despite the tough conditions, outstanding buffet meals were prepared during and after the hurricane that were not only delicious but beautifully presented.

It wasn't until we were leaving for the airport that we got to really see the horrible level of damage done to your beautiful Island. It made the job done by the hotel workers even more impressive, since it was done in the face of such adversity.

All of us who were there wish all Bermudians the very best in recovering from the devastation of Fabian. I, for one,will look forward to coming back to Bermuda.