Tourism is our backbone

March 8, 2002

Dear Sir,

What would life be like without exempt companies? That is the question on my mind and I dare say on the minds of many people. Let's see: At first let me say that through no one's fault but my own I had always believed that these companies had paid the Bermuda Government $250,000-$500,000 depending on their revenues. Upon hearing that they only pay around $27,000 I was shocked.

We the (pay cheque to pay cheque) living Bermudians have been sold down the river. A one-bedroom apartment has gone from $600 to $1100, two bedroom $900 now cost $1700-$2500 and these keep going up. Get the point? Sure these companies can pay the rent for their workers, after all they are saving millions by being there and we suffer as a result of this. The only thing these companies have done is drive up the cost of living here in Bermuda. When they go and they will go, we can then go back to being the service community that once had us on top of the tourism world.

The only people to benefit from exempt companies are the greedy banks and in turn the greedy landowners who continue to make a killing. When they go we will spend much time and energy in an effort to bring tourism back to levels that can sustain our community. Let me say again to all you people who say tourism doesn't matter. If tourism is allowed to fail then Bermuda will fall.

Tourism was and will always be the backbone of this society and the people who say different will be the first people to leave when all hell breaks loose. They have no solid or strong ties to this country and they will soon show their true colours.

Bermudians I say to do not be fooled by the exempt company hype because they are of no value to the (pay cheque to pay cheque) living Bermudian. We may struggle a while once they go but we will bounce back. As long as they are here we will suffer under these inhumane conditions we find ourselves under right now.

To all you exempt companies, I am a young Bermudian and hope to one day have enough influence to see you out of my country because you have done nothing but destroy the majority of peoples standard of living on this island. I can't wait to see you go.

P.s. When you have nothing to lose you fight with everything you have.

RAYMOND RUSSELL JR.

Pembroke

Stop catering to tourists

March 20, 2002

Dear Sir,

When is the government of Bermuda going to stop catering to tourists and start making facilities that cater to the needs of Bermudians. If the tourists want to come, they are going to come regardless of how many golf courses etc., are available. Millions of dollars are going into ferries and golf courses and not enough is going into health care, education and housing, the most important aspects of living.

There is only one hospital and one college on this Island. They should be the best in the world. Why do we have to go overseas for proper treatment? Why do we have to go overseas for a better education? These are the things that most people cannot afford to do. It brings added stress just knowing that at the end of whatever you go away to do, you will have a major bill, whether it be health related or a loan for education.

The Government's of Third World countries pay for their people's education. Why can't our government do the same since we are supposed to be one of the richest countries in the world and so that our workforce can be more Bermudianised.

Scholarships, loans and grants are hard to get and there are only a limited amount available each year. Most people want an education but can't afford one. Is the government willing to help fund the nursing course that begins in September at Bermuda College?

Education after primary school is all screwed up, I just don't understand it anymore. They thought they had a solution when CedarBridge was made, now there isn't enough space there for all students who are going to be enrolled. Daniel's Head which is right next to Cambridge Beaches was a waste of space that could have been used for housing and still probably can.

BERMUDA'S FUTURE

Pembroke

Sign up for the BHC

March 18, 2002

Dear Sir,

So I'm flipping through the "Community Education & Development Programme" brochure supplied with your newspaper today (Monday, 18 March) and came across a course titled "Housing: Bermuda" (on page 6) that states: "This is a 1-off session designed to separate the facts and myths concerning how the Bermuda Housing Corporation works."

My first thought was, "Well you can cancel that course because everyone by now knows how they work!" Even more amazing, was when I turned to page 16 of that same document and saw the course listed as being "PRICELESS". Sign me up!

JAY O'CONNOR

Southampton