February 3, 2007

Dear Sir,

Please allow me a little space for this letter and if so, I say thank you.

This government, like the previous one exhibits great pleasure in handling the people's money for different causes. And sometimes for very constructive causes. The problem that I have as I look back down through the years, is the action that the government takes when a person or persons owe the government. The person or persons are threatened with a fine or imprisonment or both.

My problem is, if the government is so ready to impose these penalties on the people we should be able to do likewise to the government. I have thought of this for a very long time, but in talking to a good friend a couple of days ago, I thought I would share it with my many readers through this newspaper.

The person was telling me of some monies that were owed to him for some time (I did not tell him of my outstanding money that is owed to me). They said that after making many phone calls to no avail, because the head of the department was never available, decided to make a personal visit to the office to ask for the head of the department. And of course, the receptionist told them the person was not in. When you think of the amount of big, big salaries people are being paid, there seems to be very little accountability to earn these wages. But now back to the office visit. The receptionist asked the reason for the visit and they explained to her about the monies that were long overdue. Thinking that they would receive some kind of assistance with the situation, well just some unexpected loose words.

This person was just as uncaring as the not available person in charge. To add insult to injury the receptionist told them that there were people that have been waiting as long as two (2) years. I keep wondering how do we, the people ensure that we are getting our money's worth by holding some of these irresponsible people accountable to the people. But the head of the heads is not accountable, the body must fail.

Mr. Editor I really try to respect the government of the day regardless of the party. But there are times when I say to myself, "Where can I go", when those that are chosen by the people do not give respect or accountability to the people that put them in power. But then I think of the cat that found a mouse in a rum barrel and asked the cat to remove it and the cat could eat it. But the crafty mouse said to the cat, to let it dry first. The cat not thinking due to the fumes did so and when the mouse had caught itself ran off into a hole in laughter. The cat said to it that I thought that I could eat you, but the mouse with greater laughter said to the cat, that it would tell it anything with its rum in.

This joke may sound humorous, but think of our politicians and I am not saying that they all drink alcohol. But one thing is for sure, they will tell voters exactly what they want to hear before election but after elections and the government is settled in it is all about the me's and the money.

I truly believe that every wannabe politician should attend Bible study classes for at least six (6) months before entering into politics. And after this period they should be questioned by a clergy member to clarify if they have learned anything about self denial. Every politician should read the book of Deuteronomy to learn of law and the book of Proverbs for wisdom. For starters let me share a couple of verses with you readers: Proverbs 3:27 says "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so." Proverbs 21:13 says, "Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, will also cry himself and not be heard."

I say to all of you wannabes and supposed-to-bes, search the scriptures and you will surely learn of the Holiness of Jesus Christ and also learn of yourselves. I pray that we will all turn to the Word of God and turn from the world.

Know Christ know peace

No Christ no peace.

May God have mercy of the government of this land and its people.

February 7, 2007

Dear Sir,

What on earth is going on with our postal service? A registered letter posted from Florida on January 22 at a cost of $10.59 arrives at my local post office on February 5. American Express credit card statements now arrive after the date for payment. To have any hope of taking advantage of the discounts offered by Belco one had better pay the bill the moment it arrives, and don't post it, get on your bike and deliver it personally. Something has got to be done now to improve the service; you can only blame the overseas carriers for so long.

BRING BACK THE PONY EXPRESS

City of Hamilton

February 3, 2007

Dear Sir,

I am a middle school teacher in Dallas, Texas very concerned about our dropout crisis here. I have Google set to show me every news article published online with "middle school" and "student motivation" in it. Today it returned to me the article titled "Investing in our future" from .

The similarities in the issues that teachers face across the world continues to amaze me. We have a project at our school that is working to realistically connect our students with their own futures. The goal is to motivate our inner-city students. The same project would certainly help your students as well. It costs very little. It works to help students actively plan for their own futures and understand what will happen if they leave school. Once the project is ten years old, the then-current students will begin to hear from students who have gone before them. Motivation is the goal. (See www.studentmotivation.org)

The Middle School Archive Project started two years ago with the goal of getting middle school students to think of and actively plan for their own futures. Eighth grade students write letters to themselves about their past and their plans for the future. They pose for a photo at the end of the school year with their Language Arts Class. They hold the letters they wrote during that class as they pose in front of the 350 pound vault bolted to the floor in the school lobby called the Achievement & Goals Archive. They then one by one place their letters onto one of the ten shelves inside the vault which will hold such letters from 8th grade classes covering ten years.

In November of the 10th year after placing their letters into the archive each class will return for a class reunion to retrieve their letters. They know they will also be invited to speak with the then current 8th graders. They may talk about their life and what they would do if they were 13 years old once again. What do they wish someone had told them in the eighth grade? Even if only five percent return, they will have priceless witness to give current students about life after middle school, high school, college, and/or as a dropout.

All of our students know of this project and plan for the writing of their letter from the time they first enter our middle school. Any middle school can do such a program.

Students will not stop dropping out until we can credibly connect them with their own futures.

February 6, 2007

Dear Sir,

Security in Hotels/Guest Houses

I am getting concerned about all the visitors to Bermuda who are suffering from muggings, and in particular from room break ins.

I wonder at the security provided for the occupants of rooms in Hotels and Guest Houses. It seems incredible in this day and age that sufficient protection is not supplied automatically by the accommodation providers.

Surely it would not be all that expensive to provide:

1. Peepholes in the doors

2. Chains on the doors and windows to prevent unauthorised openings

3. Dead bolt type locks on the doors

4. A 'Panic button' which would set off a loud continuous alarm.

Are the Police requested to check and advise the owners about potential problems? Are the guests warned about leaving patio windows open? Is there no way to fix these windows so that they would not admit anyone from outside?

If I went on vacation and was robbed, I would spend the rest of my life telling anyone who would listen, "Don't go there you will probably be mugged".

Think about it!

I think urgent action is required NOW.

February 7, 2007

Dear Sir,

A few weeks ago in a conversation about the proposed Southlands development, someone asked: "Why build another hotel when current hotel occupancy is not filled?" The answer suggested was that "they" would attempt to increase occupancy by developing casinos in Bermuda. More recent news seems to suggest that that was close to the mark.

Yesterday's news quoted one of the Southlands developers as saying that while they would welcome being able to have a casino, they did not see it as spinning much money; rather, it would be part of a total entertainment package.

That looks like considerable spin to me. One wonders what else may be up their sleeves as part of a total entertainment package. Can you visualise Bermuda as a rival to Las Vegas (Los Wages), Nevada?

A few years ago, on a Bermuda Chat, the question of casinos in Bermuda was raised as it was a current topic of conversation then. That same day I read something interesting. A few years earlier the city of Council Bluffs, Iowa had permitted casinos there. The day in which casinos in Bermuda was being discussed on the Bermuda Chat, the city government of Council Bluffs was asking the casinos to put up more money to provide for a larger police force to handle the increased crime that came with the casinos.

If we think crime in Bermuda today is a problem, what can we expect with this larger entertainment package?

February 7, 2007

Dear Sir,

As a Bermudian living in Boston who stays in touch through your online web-site and the various blogs, the only common sense approach I have heard yet regarding the Indigent Care Clinic was presented by Dr. Catherine Wakely in your letters to the editor section. Dr. Wakely is absolutely correct on this most important issue.

On behalf of all the citizens of Bermuda, and especially those that should have the ultimate say in this matter, might I suggest you re-print it as a full page "Open Letter to the Premier".

January 25, 2007

Dear Sir,

Just a note to let everyone be aware how committed British Airways are as the only direct flight to the UK.

I understood the strike days were advertised as January 29 to 31. How come my flight on February 1 has been cancelled also; it just shows you how important we are here in Bermuda. Is it not time for another carrier to serve Bermuda so at least we would have a choice?