'Overdue for correction'

July 14, 2003

Dear Sir,

With reference to the discussion on the future of the Albouy's Point area may I wade in on the subject from the point of view of a tour boat operator.

I'd like to stress that I do not use the area myself and have no desire to use it. In its current state it is a real circus with so many boats trying to use such a small dock space at peak times of the day. With all respect due to Quinton Edness on subjects that he knows about, he does not know the difference between the pointy end and blunt end of a boat and has little idea of the needs of visitors when it comes to water sports.

I certainly am not as well travelled as QE but I have been to a few towns and cities with harbours where tourism is an important element of their economy. Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Baltimore and Annapolis spring immediately to mind as examples of places with waterfront that has been used as municipal public space and a centre for tour boat operations.

I do not advocate booking offices or any sort of advertising being placed at Albouy's Point. All of the boats take their reservations by phone or through offices not on the dock. I do not advocate boats being left unattended at the dock as it seems to be the destiny of one or two who abuse their permission when it comes to using the various Corporation of Hamilton docks.

Boats should be like the longtails, not here in the winter. Docks should be used for loading and discharging only. They are not private spaces used as a mooring slip or winter storage for the convenience of a few.

I do support the idea of providing proper dock space, perhaps using floating finger piers similar to the new ferry docks or marinas recently expanded around the harbour. The temporary barge used by the ferries, as ugly as it was, is another way to create dock space.

The notion that that marine activity will spoil Albouy's is a non-starter. This marine activity is part of the attraction of the area. People sit on the benches and watch the boats come and go. The only time there is a problem in the area is when some of the larger boats are loading, especially if it is a local cruise of some sort. People get to the boat late or at the last minute and then don't want to leave the area when the boat gets back.

Boats may not play a large part in the lives of many locals but they do carry more visitors than probably all other attractions combined. The inadequate jumbled mess that visitors have had to contend with for so many years is way overdue for correction.

D. SHIRLEY

Devonshire

Get off the bus... now!

July 10, 2003

Dear Sir,

On July 9, I tried to board bus number 11 to St. George's, departing at 12.30 p.m. from Hamilton.

As I got on the steps I was told rather rudely by the lady driver to get off the bus.

Since I could see there was enough standing room, I asked to be allowed on but was told again, in a very unpleasant manner, to get off, and she called the supervisor.

This person was just as rude as the driver and told me that I was wasting his time and delaying the bus.

I am absolutely appalled at the way I was treated and if this is a way Bermuda wants to promote tourism, the policy is in serious need of reform. It would have been so easy for the driver and the supervisor to be polite and explain why I was not allowed onto the bus. I will think twice before coming back to Bermuda.

IRENE KOUTRIN

Montreal, Canada

BTC driver a menace

July 15, 2003

Dear Sir,

I admire the companies that ask the question, 'how's my driving?' and giving the telephone numbers on the back of their vehicles.

While this is not the practice of BTC, I am going to tell you about one of your drivers anyway. On Tuesday at 7.50 a.m. at Ferry Reach west bound, just for your information, the left lane approaching the airport is specifically for that, accessing the airport, and not as a means of overtaking vehicles, and forcing your way in between those you cannot get ahead of.

Our speed limit is 35 kph, not approximately 65 kph, and I think I am being generous here. Sorry, you were probably going to be late for work! Keep that kind of erratic dangerous driving up, and one day you may not make it at all, or even worse, the careful driver you plough into may never work, live again.

BTC, this driver is a liability in progress!

DUE CARE

Devonshire

Life on the farm

July 12, 2003

Dear Sir,

Back in the mid 1990s under the rule of John, the farm workers began to resent their support and hard work being taken for granted. This was especially true when John decided to change the farm's major insurance policy - that is to say - its long-standing alliance with the larger outlying farm, which many, many years ago supplied the original workers, equipment and know-how to establish John's farm.

Revolt took place and control of the farm was taken over by the Napoleonic Smith.

Under Smith the workers found new motivation and enthusiasm. Promises were made and work began under Smith's watchful eye. So that all would be in no doubt as to what would and would not be acceptable thought and behaviour, the Ministry of Truth was established.

Soon results were noticeable.

Personalised licence plates for anyone wanting the rest of the farm to recognise that they were indeed individuals.

Plates such as 'Boo' and 'Speedy' began to appear on the windy farm tracks. To enable better reading of personalised licence plates, vegetation was cut back.

Rules were established concerning how to identify a farmer who belonged to Smith's farm: their outward distinguishing marks, and the way they should speak.

A new sign was constructed and erected in the middle of the farm at a cost of nearly $40,000 (but of course it was worth it) which read ' Smith International Farm' - just in case any of the farmers were in any doubt as to where they lived.

The Napoleonics, as they became known, or inner leadership circle, needed to travel in style around the farm and naturally also when they travelled on necessary trips to other farms. Money was needed. Taxes were raised, especially land taxes.

The Napoleonics needed to find out how they were doing. Since direct communication with the farmers was no longer encouraged, a prophetess was consulted, and managers from other southerly lying farms were consulted.

All agreed that two thing were necessary to keep the workers happy - faster transport within the far and demonstrating charity to those less fortunate. Accordingly the old buses were shipped out to a struggling farm under an admirable autocratic leadership, and super fast ferries were placed on all waterways (even though it meant that the river life would be mulched in the propellers) and special docks had to constructed to accommodate this new form of fast transport.

Life is fine on the farm now, except no one visits it any more. It is too noisy and the farmers are too busy arguing among themselves to care about making anymore welcome.

FOUR LEGS GOOD, TWO LEGS BETTER

St. George's

We all deserve better

July 11, 2003

Dear Sir,

I do not know if The Royal Gazette will publish this letter prior to the upcoming election or not. I hope they do. I am a simple Bermudian, born here in 1947 and presently living in Warwick. As such, I think I am entitled to express my opinion.

There is an election coming up soon. The outcome of that election will affect me and all other Bermudians. I am very concerned about the outcome. I think it is possible that the PLP may be re-elected.

In my opinion that would not be good for me or other Bermudians. I have a great deal of respect for the people who support the PLP. The hard working and, yes, black people of our country. And I think it totally appropriate that they should govern.

The people of the PLP are good people. Unfortunately their leaders are not. Yes I am talking about Jennifer, and David and Renee and Alex... and others. They are, in my opinion, nothing more than a bunch of arrogant, selfish fools who care nothing about me or the people of Bermuda.

The people of Bermuda, the PLP people, the black people deserve better. If the present leaders of the PLP would simply resign and appoint Dale Butler to be their candidate for the Premiership, I might even vote for the party.

The present leadership of the PLP government has been a complete failure. Oh, they have had plenty of overseas trips and lots of flowers at the expense of the people of this country. But the list of failures is almost unbelievable. The Housing Corporation, the Berkeley school, relations with the hospital, police, prisons, international businesses, hotels and taxi drivers is the testament of the leaders of the PLP in the last five years.

In 1998 a major part of the PLP leaders' platform was a government of transparency. Well, in that regard, I think they have been a huge success. They not only became transparent but they virtually became invisible. The only time we get to see our Premier is when she makes arrangements to go somewhere and have her picture taken.

And they have the gall to congratulate themselves on their performance. Like, we are now an associate member of Caricom and we now have single constituencies. Wow! What is Caricom going to do for me? And under any arrangement I only have one vote to cast.

And who is our Premier trying to rub shoulders with? None other than Fidel Castro. Well, Ms Premier, why stop there? Why not go after Iran and North Korea?

The people of Bermuda, black and white, PLP and UBP deserve better.

This letter could cause me to be sued for slander. If so I will be happy to appear in court - especially knowing that I have told no lies and will be entitled to the right of cross-examination.

People of Bermuda, think carefully about who you want leading our country in the next few years. Your vote is important. Make the right decision for yourselves, your children and grandchildren and for me.

GREG FALZONE

Warwick