Tag Day thanks

October 28, 2003

Dear Sir,

The Committee of Management of the Lady Cubitt Compassionate Association (LCCA) extend their thanks to the numerous members of the community who donated so generously to our recent annual Tag Day in September.

Special thanks to our "taggers" - the many volunteers from the service organisations, individuals, friends and special mention to the students who helped throughout the day with the counting of the proceeds.

A total amount of $13,140.00 was collected from this event. These funds are utilised in our General Assistance programme for the local needs of the less fortunate members of the community, particularly the elderly and for the benefit of children.

the LCCA has continued to carry out the ideals and philosophy that was initiated by Lady Cubitt in 1932.

Sincere thanks to everyone for their assistance.

Halloween? It's scary

November 1, 2003

Dear Sir,

I hope you're happy now. A man was injured by a bottle last night, two suspected acid cocktails were found near the Naval Field in Sandys just before 6 p.m., a car was set on fire in St. George's, youths lit a fire in Curving Avenue, Pembroke and a man was assaulted on Fairylands Road, Pembroke all because the Government figured to keep allowing Halloween to continue.

It may seem nice for the kids but,something bad always happens and one day, someone will get killed. Pretty much you'll ignore this letter and think "that will never happen so, let us continue" and then when it happens it's like "maybe we should have thought about this more". The picture in Saturday's edition of says it all.

Those police shouldn't have to keep arresting youths but,as long as Halloween reigns, so will this.

How are the man who was hit by a bottle and the one who was assaulted on Fairylands Road doing by the way?

CONCERNED

Pembroke

Great community spirit

October 31, 2003

Dear Sir,

It is entirely appropriate that the community should take a little time out to celebrate and give thanks to the many who have worked so hard to restore our island home after the recent assault by Hurricane Fabian. We should all be grateful for the dedication and commitment of all the men and women who work for our Government agencies, public services and utility companies, many of whom are continuing to work extended hours to complete restoration and repair of all our many services.

Even though the damage sustained at our own homes was relatively minor compared to many, it is still hard to imagine how one would have coped with having to go out to work repairing roads or utility lines in addition to taking care of our own needs at home. Thank you all.

Let's not forget, however, the many people all across the Island who continue to look out for others at a personal level in their hour of need. We would like to express our own gratitude to Manuel Baron, ably supported by wife Diana and son Chris, who without hesitation put his construction projects on hold and immediately turned to help his neighbours and friends with their problems. We know we speak for others in the immediate vicinity when we say that we all owe a debt of gratitude and a huge vote of thanks to Manuel and his team. It has been a great relief to be able to place ourselves in his capable hands.

We have heard many similar stories of people being helped by friends and neighbours. So let us be sure to give thanks at this personal level as well ? this is community spirit at its best.

PETER & LIZ NASH

TERRY & JOAN STEVENS

Smith's Parish

A foreigner responds

October 28, 2003

Dear Sir,

I write in response to your feature 'Across the expat divide' on October 28, 2003. As a "foreigner" or "guest worker" or whatever other categorisation I am to be referred to, I feel it necessary to put down on paper the overwhelming feeling of negativity that many of my friends, and myself included, are exposed to from time to time.

As a single female, along with two other like-minded females, I arrived in Bermuda over a year ago to gain the experience of working overseas, to familiarise myself within a different culture and to reap the benefits of a tax-free salary. I also would like to add, that if a Government or company is willing to recruit overseas workers then the responsibility should lie with those institutions and not on an individual basis, but when I read stereotypical comments about "foreigners" that are completely unjustified I find it hard to "swallow the pill" yet again.

With regard to housing problems, this island is extremely small but the average "foreigner" does not receive a housing allowance, the average "foreigner" can neither afford nor is legally entitled to purchase a property and the average "foreigner" cannot afford to live on their own in most cases.

From my experience, most single females/males usually choose to share a house or apartment to cut the cost as opposed to living beyond their means. The stereotype that most "foreigners" are living this executive bourgeoisie lifestyle is completely unfounded, albeit there are a small minority of high-wage earners, the average "foreigner" does not come within this bracket. What about the hairdressers, beauticians, restaurant and bar staff, secretaries, butchers, mechanics, etc?

With regard to the issue of work permit terms, most "foreigners" are fully aware that they are here on a temporary basis and the general consensus amongst most, is that they are here as long as they are "allowed" to be here or until the time for them to move on, which in most cases is usually less than six years.

With regard to the unemployment within Bermuda and the perception that "foreigners" are taking up all the jobs, as "foreigners" we have to go through stringent Immigration procedures, we are employed on a time-clock, we adhere to the descriptive criteria and have to prove through experience or qualifications that we are suitable for the position, which has to be advertised three times in the local newspaper, allowing all Bermudians preference and the right to apply. Therefore, if no suitable Bermudians come forward or receive an interview, shouldn't the focus be on education and self-development, as opposed to resentment and displaced disappointment?

With regard to the economy and the concept that most "foreigners" arrive here and save all their earnings, which in turn is taken out of the country, in fact this may be true, as much as it is true that a large majority of educated Bermudians choose to leave Bermuda and reside in countries like the USA and UK and probably do the same thing, but also it should be taken into account that the majority of certain "foreigners" earnings are kept within the country i.e. rents, transportation costs, general living costs, frequenting bars and restaurants, and the fact that a lot of "foreigners" encourage friends and family to visit the Island, therefore pushing more money into the economy. All these factors should be taken into account when judging "foreigners".

After living in the UK for most of my life I have been exposed to a multi-cultural, diversified society where people from all countries reside and work and I have never assumed that the "foreigner" in question was taking my job. I assumed that this person has had the strength and ambition to leave their home country, to reside in another, to bring to that country their skills and experience, to abide by the rules of that country and to give what they can and to take what is legally or financially theirs, just as much as the national or non-national employee of that country.

When determining which country I was going to work in overseas, I chose Bermuda instantly because of the attraction to the beauty of the island, to it being a British colony and English-speaking, to it being centrally located to the USA for travelling purposes and the concept of paying no taxes, all justified reasons which the average person could not argue against.

It is for these reasons that I find it very disheartening to have to read and listen to unacceptable, non-progressive, biased attitudes when all we are doing is bringing our skills and experience, choosing to have a temporary lifestyle change and going about our business quietly and lawfully.

An honest empathy and understanding of individual reasons should be taken into account and a whole sector of society should not be judged by misinformed stereotypes.

Police need our support

October 27, 2003

Dear Sir,

I find it appalling when I read or hear about police officers and other authority figures being assaulted by unruly and uncooperative people.

Bermuda Police officers do a tremendous job in keeping law and order in our community, under control. Magistrates you must work along with them. Our community has become very hostile, which is why Magistrates need to take off their blinkers and see what these people are doing to what used to be a peace and loving place to live. They have the power to punish these lawbreakers. There is no excuse for assaulting authority figures, let alone Police officers.

When lawbreakers come before the courts for assaulting police officers, they need to be dealt with severely.

Instead they receive a slap on the wrist, and are sent on their way.

I am a frustrated law abiding citizen due to lenient Magistrates. I could imagine how our law enforcers feel. My hat goes off to our men and women in blue.

Magistrates do the job we tax payers are paying you thousands of dollars for.