LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Thanks for nothing, Delta
March 8, 2004
Dear Sir,
I am writing this letter in the hope that someone from the management of Delta Airlines will read it and understand that as a long-time customer, I am extremely disappointed with their practices.
I purchased a round-trip ticket for my daughter who is in school in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The route was Burlington-Boston-Bermuda and returning Bermuda-Boston-Burlington. As fate would have it, an official from her school happened to be on the first leg of the flight (Bermuda-Boston) but his intention was to drive directly from Boston to St.Johnsbury. Because of the timing of the flights, this route would get him to St.Johnsbury about three hours earlier than if he had flown. As such, he offered to take my daughter with him. Great, I thought - until I asked the Delta ticket agent to simply cancel the second leg of the journey. Instead of getting a refund for the unused ticket, I was told that there would be an additional charge of $320! Maybe I'm just not smart enough, but for the life of me, I just cannot figure out why one would be charged and extra $320 for not getting on a plane?
Of course, I refused to pay the extra, which meant that instead of arriving in St. Johnsbury at 9:30 p.m., my daughter actually arrived at 12:30 a.m. I just want to say to the people here at Delta, thanks for nothing! I guess I will be booking my tickets with USA3000 from now on.
M.A. MUSSON
Boaz Island Village
Airfares too high
March 6, 2004
Dear Sir,
We urge Bermudians who are concerned with the Island's tourism to read Bob Masters' letter of March 5 printed in The Royal Gazette. It is a letter we have wanted to write for many years.
We have spent part of the past ten winters in Bermuda and we share Mr. Masters' frustration. This year we paid $1,250 for two round-trip tickets from Boston on Delta Airlines. Had our plans called for our stay to be fewer than 30 days we would have paid less. Delta could not explain why.
We have grown children with families who would like to visit us. They don't. Reason: excessively high airfares. They can take their families to other locations, include the lodging, and do so for less than the cost of airfare to Bermuda.
Reducing airfares may not be the cure all for improving tourism in Bermuda but it might be a very good start.
DAN AND JUDIE DURGIN
Westport Island, Maine
Definition of marriage
February 19, 2004
For the one on the talk show who brought forth our heterosexual battle trumpet I am ever so thankful. That person pontificated that the descriptive word marriage is specifically reserved to describe the union between a man and a woman. The homosexual with a homosexual the lesbian with a lesbian cannot claim any right to be described as married.
HETEROSEXUAL
Devonshire
Ideas for new Causeway
March 4, 2004
Dear Sir,
I hear on this morning's news that plans are afoot to rebuild the Causeway. I'm in full agreement with that (although it will cost money) and, as an East Ender, I feel that the following features should be included therein:
1) It should be higher than the present one (say a minimum of ten feet above high tide level) and be on stilts to allow the surge of water to pass freely underneath, something like a miniature of the Florida Keys causeway.
2) It should incorporate a static bridge to replace Longbird Bridge (which would cut down considerably on maintenance costs and bridge-jamming delays) and I think a minimum clearance of 30 feet at high tide would be appropriate. It was done at Watford Bridge, why not here?
3) It should definitely incorporate a separate footpath on one side, and maybe even a pedal cycle path on the other.
VOX ORIENTALIS
St. George's
Jazz... without Johnson
March 1, 2004
Dear Sir,
Over the years, we have thoroughly enjoyed listening to the VSB Jazz Show manned by Mr. Johnson. On behalf of myself, Mel and Dave down at the Cave, we implore Mr. Mike Bishop to bring this programme back.
It is sorely missed.
CARMELIA (TINY) TWEED
Mel & Dave Down at The Cave
Devonshire
A truly taxing matter
March 2, 2004
Dear Sir,
As a businessman employing over 40 people in six separate businesses, I take exception to the notion that a 0.75 percentage point payroll tax increase in the new Budget is reasonable. To me, 0.75 precentage whether the employee or the employer pays is not the issue.
The math being used to say it's reasonable is wrong in my opinion. The payroll tax rate before the Budget for companies with annual payrolls in excess of $200,000 was 12 percent. Assuming companies gave raises between three to four percent (as generally happens annually), the Bermuda Government would collect three to four percent more revenue as they would collect 12 percent of the new increased wages. This is a reasonable increase.
However, moving the bracket from 12-75 percent to 13.5 percent is a 5.9 percent increase by itself. Therefore, added to the three to four percent increase due to wage increases is actually a nine to ten percent payroll tax increase. Nine to ten percent payroll tax increase is not acceptable in business and should not be acceptable in our Government. Make not mistake, we do have income tax already in Bermuda. Add this to the 22 percent duty on virtually all products which we import and we have, on the face of it, a 35 percent tax rate if you spend what you earn each year.
When I began my business in 1988. I paid 4 percent payroll tax. Now I pay 13 percent.
Am I the only one seeing this?
STEPHEN THOMSON
City of Hamilton
A pesticide problem
March 4, 2004
Dear Sir,
On taking my dog out for his evening walk the other evening at lovely Scaur Hill, I was approached by the very friendly parks department advising me that they had just completed blanket spraying of the property for the Cinch Bug, being interested and thanking them for the warning, I asked them what they were using, as my property is in inundated with the problem. Diazanon was their answer? My immediate question was, “was it not ‘banned' in Bermuda as it kills the good bug as well?” And, more importantly, it can get into water supplies.
The gentleman's answer was “it's the only thing we have found effective against the Cinch Bug”. I mentioned again it kills everything including ladybugs and earthworms. I went on to say pity the poor Blue Birds, Red Birds and Chick of the village's. The answer was a stunned silence, and so I drove of to Hog Bay Level, which apparently is next on their list.
Most nursery's are now using friendlier Pyrethrum based products.
CHRISTOPHER ADDAMS MSc.
Public deserves better
March 5, 2004
Dear Sir,
The people of Bermuda deserve to be made aware of various events that are occurring that impact their health.
Recently, Dr. Vogan's work permit was not renewed, on advice from the Dental Board. For the first time in 20 years residents must leave the Island in order to be treated by a Registered Periodontist. This action was not supported by the Dental Association, which represents the majority of dentists on the Island.
Many of the Island's dentists have been struggling for years to raise the standard of care and to alleviate the manpower shortage.
The Dental Board, which is Government, has constantly prevented any initiative which might have a positive impact on the dental health of the public.
They have prevented access to specialists, curtailed the use of locums, denied dental associates and hindered the hiring of staff.
The Dental Association and its members have met with Ministers, collected petitions, passed resolutions of no confidence in the Board, sent letters and lobbied politicians, all to no effect.
The public is being overcharged for poor service, and they do not have a choice. There is no requirement for any dentist to ever take a continuing education course. Ever!
Now the public is denied the care of a specialist that was in great demand. Why? Who benefits? Who loses?
Look at the motivation of those that resist the hardest, they have the most to lose if the public is ever given free choice. Competition, free choice, fair fees, and being held responsible for your actions are the last things they want to see.
The public deserves a lot better and until they demand it, and keep demanding it, it will not come to pass.
“All that is necessary for the forces of evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
Attributed to Edmund Burke.
DR. JAMES FAY, DDS, FICD
Paget
Why ruin a good thing?
March 3, 2004
Dear Sir,
Bermuda and all her people have undoubtedly benefited from the relationship we have had with the United Kingdom over the last 400 years - we would be (or - are - if they know about us!) the envy of the rest of the world. It escapes me as to why the PLP want to discontinue what is clearly a good thing at a time when we may need it most.
We are so fortunate to have the perfect democratic set-up for our extremely small Island. We have a third party offering help with the management of security, finances and constitutional change.
Our Island is tiny so we must have an objective and sensible third party involved with some of our affairs - we should feel privileged to have the UK - such a respected nation helping us! Furthermore, why would we want to give up having peace of mind knowing that we are safe throughout the world with UK embassies? Bermuda does not even exist to so much of the world and we certainly cannot afford to set up our own embassies! We have done well with what we have so why focus on and try to rid ourselves of something that is working?
It feels like the PLP is trying to create division among us with the issue when it should be focused on more important things such as bringing together to work towards better education, affordable housing, improvement of family values and the environment, and to work hard against crime and drugs. In a world of increasing globalisation we are in need of our old and reliable friend - the UK - even more now than ever. Let's all focus on things that are not working rather than on something that is.
DIANA HESLOP
Devonshire