Fresh TV an inspiration

June 1, 2004

Dear Sir,

Healing Arts Exercises for Health would like to publicly thank Fresh TV for its local programming. We have been fortunate to have been a guest twice on your show.

There have been many who have approached us and expressed how much they too enjoy watching Fresh TV programming. As a response to May 26, front page story “Fresh hasn't delivered on its promises, TV rival says”.

It is unfortunate that your rivals are closed minded not to see how Fresh TV's local coverage positively affects the community. Fresh TV has provided a medium for good exchange.

On Fresh TV you can find your neighbour on TV and require the very thing he has to offer, or be inspired by the many Bermudians and guests enjoying healthy, joyful and positive lifestyles.

Fresh TV is owned by a Bermudian, creating work opportunities for Bermudians and interested in covering Bermuda.

That alone makes one proud. Fresh TV we believe you have done an excellent job this year. You have helped to raise the sense of pride … we should all have ... to be a Bermudian.

HEALING ARTS EXERCISES FOR HEALTH

City of Hamilton

Clean it up!

May 26, 2004

Dear Sir,

My husband and I have recently taken up tennis and - well, I am a very bad player. Thus, we've taken to practising at Kindley Field as it's close to our home, accessible after work, and probably most important to my hubby - well off the beaten track. After all, us beginners make some silly and often humourous mistakes.

The Kindley tennis courts are great - what a lovely gift for Bermuda - but they are in desperate need of a “clean up on aisle 4”, literally: the last court is unplayable, with old lights, trash, several old bikes, etc. pushed up in the corners of the court.

We're talking “truck-load of stuff” here - not a few trips to the trash can.

There is broken glass on the court - the trash needs to be emptied ... it's just downright bad out there. Are these courts on someone's roster of “things to do” - as in can the Parks Department get these cleaned up a bit?

I'm especially worried about the glass, as there are a lot of small children in the area.

Finally, I just can't keep myself from saying that given the topic of today's editorial on page 4 (Housing disgrace), it literally turns my stomach to see the old “BOQ” (Bachelor Officer's Quarters) directly in front of the tennis courts, sitting derelict and empty.

The majority of the buildings on the Base were left in decent shape, needing only some superficial work. The BOQ rooms would have been great studio or one bedroom apartments for, say - single mothers.

A daycare could have been set up on the ground floor. We're not talking rocket science here - we're talking paint, some ACs and some staff reallocation. What a travesty to let these buildings literally fall down around our feet. How incredibly arrogant of our Government to just let these buildings crumble while members of our community are living rough, in their cars and tents.

And please - spare me the “protecting locals from dangerous chemicals” rhetoric. These buildings were good enough for military people for 40 years. I'm not saying there isn't some stuff to clean up.

I'm saying that when the good Lord dumps a bountiful gift in your lap, only an arrogant fool would let it sit there - idly falling to ruin - for the next eight years or so.

DISAPPOINTED

Hamilton Parish