Give awards to poor

November 15, 2004

Dear Sir,

I am writing regarding scholarships. Just a short question. Who were they designed for initially? It is very upsetting when intelligent, serious-minded, directed, young and underprivileged Bermudians do not receive the greater portion of the generosity of those providing the funds.

It is heart breaking to witness their despair ... and the rich get richer.

Fix our road ... now

November 17, 2004

Dear Sir,

I would like to use your column in the hope that someone will step up and help. The South Shore entrance of Devon Springs Road in Devonshire has been closed to traffic now for approximately one year. This is an unacceptable length of time for the residents of the road and despite our MP, Michael Dunkley's efforts, nothing has been done. It seems that there is an ongoing debate as to who will pay for the repairs, meanwhile the residents suffer.

Every day, there are small children and teens that use Devon Springs Road near the St. Brendan's Hospital as their playground. They play soccer in the road, and run out into the street without a second glance. There are also several young adults on bikes, who ride up and down the street, who block the road and who some residents suspect may deal drugs from that location.

This scenario is a nightmare to many residents of the road, many of which are elderly. I can't help but wonder if we lived in Tucker's Town, or some other area of affluence that more attention might have been taken to have the road fixed quickly. However, this has not happened, and it's the residents that suffer.

This is another glaring example of how our government has let us down. If you can do nothing else, please pray that our daily pain will be resolved.

The wrong direction

November 19, 2004

Dear Sir,

I read with interest earlier this week that we have abandoned Elliot Ettenberg from our marketing plan. Rather the new Minister of Tourism wants to market Europe with a focus on Germany and Italy. I had the privilege of attending a presentation by Mr. Ettenberg at the Fairmont Hamilton hotel with Tony Brannon and was impressed at where the focus of our marketing was going to be.

He pointed out that rather than shotgunning our marketing efforts all over the place we should concentrate our effects on major gateways in the US, Canada and the UK.

For the first time in years I heard something that actually made sense. The BDOT sales team finally had some direction and was going to be made accountable. This was great because the Cabinet, the Premier, the BHA and the sales force were all on board.

So let's paint the picture: The UBP have declining tourism numbers and can't seem to get the numbers up, despite their best efforts in marketing us as an all- year destination in Europe and hiring countless experts. Then David Allen takes over the reins and goes on a "world-wind" tour of Europe, South America and God knows where else and the result is the same, lousy numbers. Then along comes Minister Webb who decides to hire an expert! We have all seen this before, but I go and listen anyway. He presents a pretty decent strategy; it's well presented and makes lots of sense. It now appears that we are getting forced. The sales staff is flown in and is told that this is the new direction so you better get on board. The budget is in place and so is accountability, the Premier, Cabinet and the BHA, we assume, all agree to this. In fact, Tony Brannon even seemed to agree. Wow! this is progress.

Then Minister Webb resigns, citing differences with the Premier and Dr. Brown is now the guy who is going to perform the miracle. We read in that he is going to market Bermuda as an all year destination and concentrate a little more on Europe.

The former Minister Webb is concerned that we are no longer following the Ettenberg direction, after all we have paid for it and the staff who have been made accountable, the BHA, Cabinet, Premier, and Tony Brannon were on board and waiting to see the changes that had been recommended by the expert?

Dr. Brown, however, does not need an expert, since he is a Doctor, the Minister of Transport and now the Minister of Tourism and he knows what's best for us. As he says we need more Italians here. If you think about it, we do have the restaurants to service them and we can always double the waiters up to be tour guides, and for a bonus Emilio Barbieri can be the Consul General. A sure winner!!

The Premier must be delighted that he finally has someone like the new Minister who knows what to do. Who cares about the money we have already spent and the direction to staff, BHA, Cabinet and Tony Brannon were told as regards to Mr. Ettenberg's report?

Let's all work together

November 15, 2004

Dear Sir,

As much as one respects and admires Renee Webb's courage in coming forward and declaring the truth about her Government letting "her people down", she should get off her colour stance and wake up to realise that we have all been let down by this inept Government.

I wouldn't dream of saying the UBP did wonders for us in the past, but we must all learn from the past and move on ? together, not black not white, but together.

There is much to be done, so clearly we should not waste this precious time with incrimination and divisive behaviour, but push urgently forward to implement solutions ? we all know what they are.

So, with an honest, transparent, compassionate Government, who recognises the needs of all its people, not just the ones who look like Renee Webb, we must start to heal and soon, if we hope to sustain Bermuda in any semblance of a peaceful, happy and prosperous island.

Bermuda seems so vulnerable right now to greed, bad manners and gross lack of standards. Standards are the hallmark of stability and Christian ethic; kindness and compassion ? a balm that heals.

Have we gone so far away from these vital basics? It is up to us to say no, rejecting everything and anything that does not meet the highest aspirations of our Government, for our families, for our community, for our education which is the basic magic key that opens all doors to the above, and finally to ourselves.

Together and only together can this be done. Let's stop grumbling and work towards solutions.

Solution to congestion

November 16, 2004

Dear Sir,

I have been reading your paper recently in references to the continuing saga of our traffic problem. I have a suggestion. But first I have a few questions.

Has anyone ever questioned our Transport Minister, Dr. Brown about these fast ferries? Weren't they bought into Bermuda, with the taxpayers' money, to reduce traffic congestion? Or were they bought in purely because the Transport Minister just had to spend our money? I would also like to know, and this is a very important question, how many residents are leaving their cars or bikes at home to ride these ferries? I can bet that the majority of these people, who utilise these ferries used to catch a ride with their friends, catch the bus or get a taxi! I do not believe that residents who have cars, bikes etc., are giving up their own transportation and taking a fast ferry ride.

I see it every day, one person in a car driving to Hamilton. What is wrong with carpooling? It is the only way forward. But please do not penalise persons who want to drive into Hamilton by means of their own transportation by charging them. That is just being greedy. Instead, why not identify those who will carpool?

Yes, Mr. Editor, identify ... and this is how we would do it. We would have a checkpoint, one for every parish. At these checkpoints, the car driver would have a stamp put on his/her calendar to say that they have carpooled that day. Carpooling should not be made difficult. Dr. Brown, ever heard of KISS? (Keep it simple, stupid). This should be made easier than easy. When these stamps are added up at the end of the year, you then give the car driver the incentive. Are you ready for this, Mr. Editor? Give them a reduction on their yearly licensing fee. This is the way forward. Once people get used to the idea that they are truly getting something for the efforts, hopefully they will continue.

Each car must contain at least three people, whether it is children or not does not matter. They are carpooling, remember KISS. Mothers and fathers should not be punished because they are carrying their children. I really think this may work.

Why not try it? Then we could sell some of their fast ferries, get a good amount of money back from them and put money where it is needed, housing, seniors, The Berkeley Institute, Hope Homes and anywhere else that this Government has left behind.