Thanks to 'Samaritans'

February 9, 2007

Dear Sir,

I wish to thank the people who so kindly stopped and offered me help this morning (February 9th) when I tripped and fell, full sprawl, on the uneven paving stones by Belco.

Two young men in a van quickly stopped and offered assistance The van belonged to a tile and stone company but the shock of the fall meant that I failed to ask the names of the young men or correctly note the name of the company van ? hence I wish to thank them via the print media. I also wish to thank Mr. (Bling) Casling (I know his face and name but I am not an acquaintance). Mr. Casling also stopped and offered help and I am sure that I inadequately expressed my appreciation to all who stopped to offer help.

Neither the two young men nor Mr. Casling left me until I felt able to stand and to continue ? walking much more slowly! ?- on my journey. I feel bruised and battered but my injuries are minor.

This is a big thank you to all the gentlemen who stopped to offer assistance.

Don't pave paradise

19 February 2007

Dear Sir,

Your paper reported on January 31 that "According to the (Southlands) developers only 16 percent of the 37 acre Southlands estate will be built upon." Does this percentage include only roofed areas? If so, the crucial question is: What is the total proposed percentage of hard surface including roofed areas, roadways, walkways, pools, patios, parking lots? Parking lots are of particular interest since the planning application calls for 400 employees, 235 car parking spaces and 200 bike spaces. Where will these parking areas be built? In the surrounding roads of the community?

If that is the case, the statement by Jumeirah's top executive Mr. Guy Crawford quoted in of February 16 is ironic to say the least: "We feel strongly that we want this resort to be part of a community. You have to let the community come in and be part of it."

Part of the parking lot?

In any event, I cannot see what benefit Bermuda's community has to gain from a luxurious hotel in the Southlands property. Employment? Few Bermudians are working in any of the other hotels, so why should this proposed hotel attract them? Given the construction and hospitality sectors currently have a very high number of work permits, it would seem there's a serious lack of Bermudians available in those industries. So surely new jobs created will go to more permit holders.

Of course, supporters of the development may argue that Southlands has never been open to the public and therefore has never benefited the community. But that argument is short sighted. Open spaces, private or public, are vitally important to sustain diversity of wildlife. They are also important to sustain Bermuda's reputation for natural beauty. Twenty one and a bit square miles of hotels, condos and parking lots just won't have the same appeal.

Joni Mitchell knew all about that in 1970 when she wrote her lyric, Big Yellow Taxi. Here's her first verse:

They paved paradise

And put up a parking lot

With a pink hotel, a boutique

And a swinging hot spot

Don't it always seem to go

That you don't know what you've got

Till its gone They paved paradise

And put up a parking lot

Don't let's wait till it's gone to know what we've got. Surely we know already?

LIZ JONES

Warwick

Reconsider clinic closure

February 15, 2007

Dear Sir,

I am writing on behalf of the patients who attend the Indigent Clinic at the King Edward Memorial Hospital. I have some questions for the Government and the Hospitals Board. Have they considered the circumstances of the patients who receive care at this Clinic?

The true value of a caring community is reflected in the way in which it cares for the children, the elderly and the poor. Bermuda has reason to be proud of the fact that it offers free health care to those who are in need, at a facility that is especially located and equipped to do so, with its associated medical services such as a pharmacy, and blood and X Ray units etc. all under the same roof.

The suggestion that the same medical services can be obtained at a General Practitioner's Office is totally impracticable. How can people without phones or spare cash contact a doctor to make an appointment ?

Or, do they just turn up and wait in the doctor's office until there is a gap in the scheduled appointments? Some doctors do not have qualified nurses in their offices to give injections and other auxiliary treatments, thus making demands on the doctor's time, or else requiring the patient to obtain transportation to the hospital. Many General Practitioner's offices are not accessible to elderly or the handicapped.

It has been noted that the Clinic's name is not a flattering one. Those forward looking and caring people who first opened the Clinic were not afraid to name it for what it was, and certainly the patients are grateful to receive the care whatever the name of the facility. But, if some people's sensitivities are hurt by the name, why not call it "The Clinic", and still offer free medical care to those who need it.

This convenient, compassionate and competent care at an accessible location is something that many larger nations around us cannot match.

Surely the Clinic is not closing due to insufficient funds! (Our Government have an abundance of funding for football and cricket participants.) Using the services of General Practitioners is likely to prove far more expensive than the staffing and running of the Clinic at the present site in the Hospital.

I ask the Hospital Board to reconsider the decision to close the Indigent Clinic.

PAT FARMER

Paget

What are we coming to?

February 15, 2007

Dear Sir,

I have to wonder what this Island is coming to. There are many vehicle accidents resulting in death. There seems to be more speeding, stealing, rapes, assaults and murders. Now we have a theft of a totem pole! Who in their right mind (I do say 'right mind') would do this and why? Why do people feel that they can just help themselves to other people's property?

A friend of mine had her car vandalised. Someone scratched the car from front to rear and also scratched profanities on the hood. Was this for the joy of it? Would these individuals appreciate it happening to their vehicle? No! So why do it? Would they like it if someone stole from or harmed them or their family? No!

The latest statistics show that many students in middle school have tried drugs and/or alcohol. Doesn't this shock you? It should. These are troubled individuals. It seems to be a common aspect in most young lives these days that it is OK to do harm to someone else, to kill someone or cause grievous bodily harm, or even to take or steal something that doesn't belong to them. Is it being learned from their parents, family or peers? Perhaps it's a combination of many factors ? but lacking good values and good manners, lacking a single, solid parent influence to be there for a child, is almost a guarantee of what is happening here.

It doesn't take a mother and father to raise a good child; it takes one positive parental influence to teach a child right from wrong. It is not 'society's fault' but rather lack of love, attention, discipline and guidance. It is for these reasons that individuals go astray. People who have children need to understand that they have a lifetime commitment to bring that child up with loving care and good morals ? you don't need money to provide this. If someone cannot afford to take care of a child, does not want children, or is not ready to be a parent ? financially or emotionally ? then take the necessary precautions and do not have children. Think about the consequences before having children ? a child is not a status symbol. A child is a living human being that needs good nurturing.

Many children are growing up with a non-existent home life, with no or almost no supervision and love, without being taught to respect themselves, others or property, and this is, unfortunately, what is leading to these horrible headlines of murder, rape, theft, and death.