Protecting open spaces

August 8, 2006

Dear Sir,

The Government?s issuing of a proliferation of Special Development Orders (SDO?s), in recent times, which bypass the normal planning process and avoid public input is of great concern. Such orders allow open spaces and protected lands to be bulldozed for development. Why then should I or anyone else attend sustainable development meetings with such double standards occurring, I would ask?

The Sustainable development round table and the director of the sustainable development office (all of whom I believe to be sincere and well intentioned Bermudians) are urging us to get involved and become a part of the forums to discuss the draft document ?Charting Our Course? to promote sustainability. The theme under discussion, as reported by your newspaper, is to discuss the need for transparency and accountability in Government, and to discuss transforming governance and the public sector, (that section of the strategy which deals with how to put mechanisms in place in Government to ensure sustainable development is achieved.)

All very noble and worthwhile goals, however while they are being pursued at one level by The Sustainable Development Committee, the policy makers are giving away the shop by issuing Special Development Orders which rips away the protections of open spaces and other sensitive lands and ensures there will be no public input. The next Special Development Order under discussion is The Fairmont Southampton Princess. So far there has not been any effort to include the public in the process or any suggestion of an environmental impact study, which should have happened on the Loughlands property.

Judging from past performances the general public is very nervous that the worst will happen on the Princess land. We shall see.

Mr. Editor we have to accept the fact that Governments are political and expedient. They no doubt believe they are making the right decision at the time when they remove the protection from land by issuing an SDO. They are after all human beings. The only way to protect open spaces, parklands and other lands of a sensitive nature that should be preserved is to make the land inalienable so that no one not even Government can change the status. I hope this will be discussed in the sustainable development discussions.

One way towards achieving that in the present sustainable development discussion is to make the concept of sustainable development a part of our constitution. It has been done elsewhere. It would mean every decision made by the public sector would have to conform to the sustainable development policy.

Another suggestion I wish the Government would take under urgent consideration is to put in place a moratorium on all open spaces, parks and other presently protected lands until such time as the sustainable development discussions are concluded and new policies are formulated. I would urge The Sustainable Development Committee to press for that immediately.

QUINTON EDNESS

Warwick

An injustice to children

August 7, 2006

Dear Sir,

Are our local hotels condoning bad parenting?

My partner and I have witnessed first hand, two instances recently of small children being brought by adults into the Jasmine Lounge at the Fairmont Southampton Princess and the Verandah Bar at the Elbow Beach Hotel, late at night (after 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.). These locations serve alcoholic drinks, dinner and provide music for dancing.

The adults who bring them are being inconsiderate to other adults (perhaps they do not wish to pay a babysitter) by inflicting the children upon the other hotel guests, who are presumably expecting an adult atmosphere. They are also doing the children an injustice, as this is not a suitable venue for 2 year olds nor 9 year olds (approximate ages), who should be in bed long before this time. In our case, it caused us to leave sooner than we would have done, on both occasions.

Sincerely yours,

Concerned Mother and Grandmother

Taxi service woes

Dear Sir,

I live in Somerset and wouldn?t want to live anywhere else. It is a very close knit community where everyone goes out of their way to look after each other. We have several restaurants and bars, pharmacies, a doctor, clothes stores, banks, supermarkets, launderettes, dry cleaners and video rental stores etc. Hence, I don?t really ever need to leave Somerset other than going to work. I simply love living in this part of the island. We also have a regular bus and ferry service and a very efficient mini bus service.

The only problem is, we have no taxi service. Unfortunately, most taxis do not like coming to Somerset. I am told it?s because when they bring passengers up there, the drivers find it hard to get a return journey and therefore lose a fare. I can understand their reasoning but it doesn?t help those of us that rely on this important service.

The taxi service in Somerset has always been somewhat inefficient but it seems to have become much worse since the introduction of the new GPS system. Last week, I ordered a taxi from Hamilton to take me home to Somerset and after an hour of waiting, I called up to inquire where my taxi was. The response was: ?I am only the dispatcher, I do not have any communication with the drivers and cannot tell you when it will be or even if it will turn up at all?. I am a single woman in my early 30s and need to get home safely at night. I cannot accept this kind of response.

Before the GPS system was introduced, you were at least told how long a taxi would be even if it was going to be a long wait. Now you have no idea at all or how long it will be.

About a month ago, my neighbour pre-booked a taxi to take her to the airport and it never showed up at all, and guess what?, she missed her flight. It?s just simply unacceptable.

One night, I came out of Henry VIII where there was 3 taxis waiting outside and not one of them was interested in taking me to Somerset. What can we do about this? What can we do to motivate taxi drivers to come to our end of the island?

When I want to go out for a couple of drinks at Happy Hour, I should be able to go with the confidence of knowing that I can get home safely. All I can say is, let?s hope we never have another Rebecca Middleton case, after all, wasn?t she trying to get a taxi home when this terrible incident took place?

Frustrated in Somerset

Drug treatment can work

August 14, 2006

Dear Sir,

Mr. Editor, please allow me space in your paper so I can vent, after reading the article ?Heroin addict criticizes Island?s approach to drug treatment? printed on Monday August 14, 2006.

I have seen the Turning Point programme work for some and not work for others. The people that it did work for are still sober today and work the programme by talking to their counsellors and going to meetings. I don?t mean going to meetings once a month or every few months. I mean at least three to four times a week, more if they can make it. This programme works for them and many others. Recovery does not last for as long as the detox lasts or the methadone lasts. It is something that has to be worked on for the rest of your life. You cannot expect your counsellor and government to do all the work. .They can put you on the path to recovery but it is up to you if you are going to stay on that path. In order to stay on that path and live a drug free life, you have to work with the guidelines of the programme.

I am not saying that the programme at Turning Point is perfect. It obviously does not work for everyone. Before an article like this is printed, maybe the reporter should do some research and find someone on the other side of the spectrum, find someone that this programme has helped and tell their story.

?Tom?, I have one question for you. In any of the ?ten or twelve times? that you were in the Turning Point programme, did you work the programme?

It is my belief that no matter what rehabilitation programme you enter, whether it be here in Bermuda or any other place in the world, it will not work for you unless YOU work it.

I look forward to the Royal Gazette seeking out someone who has adhered to the Turning Point programme, so that your readers can read about a success story, rather than the story of someone who does not have the intestinal fortitude to maintain a programme that works.

WORKING THE PROGRAMME

City of Hamilton

Rush hour madness

August 10, 2006

Dear Sir,

Re: Rush hour Heineken deliveries, air conditioned pavements and other anti social brain waves.

Every Bermudian agrees that on an island this small we need to keep things done in the most efficient manner. Why is it then that thousands of Bermudians are forced to sit through a daily gridlock as big fat trucks stop in the middle of Front Street to deliver the all important beer load?

Why is this not done at night, or, hey, er.. I have an idea, early in the morning, before 65,000 people go to work simultaneously? Because the drivers won?t get out of bed? Because the loading bays are full of selfish shoppers? Because no one cares enough to find a solution?

Rush hour is a phenomena that needs to be calculated into our daily lives. Let?s not collect our garbage during rush hour. Let?s not have a street parade during rush hour. Let?s not stop in the middle of the street to deliver beer nuts.

And while I?m in my ranting mood, here?s another self serving, unethical and seemingly unnoticed business practice that has to stop. Air conditioning the pavement. Yes, that?s right. In the middle of the highly public review of our island?s excessive energy consumption, countless Hamilton businesses insist on air conditioning massive buildings for the shoppers benefit only to keep the front doors wide open. Excuse me for being picky, but if I did that with my bed room air conditioning, my girlfriend would give me a smack on the head.

Please, people, let?s not engage in plainly antisocial behaviour. Even if it is on a corporate level.

Use your head and do the right thing.

V. ANGRY

City of Hamilton

Clarification for Mr. Cash

August 3, 2006

Dear Sir,

A letter was published Tuesday 18th July, ?Because the Bible says?, from Michael Cash, Hamilton Parish. He has responded to my letter of the 4th July requesting clarification on some matters of importance to him.

I will try to be brief in my response, due to space.

Mr. Cash, I hope this brief response to your questions clarifies some matters for you.

1. Shellfish ? lack fins and scales. In Romans 14:14, Paul said, ?...I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then, for him it is unclean.? Read the whole chapter, it is very informative.

2. Slaves ? a state of bondage. You may indeed possess slaves, according to Lev. 25:44. These laws were lowed in their time. Nevertheless, you are warned in Lev. 25:46? ....but you must not rule over your fellow Israelites ruthlessly.? In the New Testament under Christianity, Paul told the Ephesians in chapter 6:5, ?Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ... doing the will of God from your heart...because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does whether he is slave or free.? ?And master, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in Heaven, and there is no favouritism with Him.? (Employee and Employers)

3. Selling your daughter ? Exodus 21:7 Read Leviticus 19:29, ?Do not degrade your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will turn to prostitution and be filled with wickedness.? Read Revelation 17 ? The Woman and the Beast.

4. A woman and her menstrual ? whenever a man asks a woman about her menstrual, he is considering an unseemly act.

5. Working on the Sabbath ? day of rest. In that day, the old covenant, one is morally obligated to kill him, but, in the new covenant, Jesus said in Matthew 12:1-8, ?...He desires mercy not sacrifice.? In Genesis 2: God worked 6 days then rested on the 7th because His work was done. Modern day man rests on the 1st day then works 6 days. Therefore, the Sabbath can be your day of rest; we call it a Day Off!

6. Defective eyesight ? your vision should be enhanced to read the scripture in context. This scripture referred to Aaron the High Priest and his descendants. God was giving Moses the Rules and Regulations of the Priesthood.

7. Hair cuts ? I surmise, most of your male friends are not in the Priesthood! How should they die, you ask. Figuratively, they should die to Christ! Romans 6:1-14. Read Romans 10:4 ?...Christ is the end of the Law, so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

I am glad that you have ?cashed? in on seeking knowledge in Kingdom living.

Peace.

ROOKES

City of Hamilton

Hospital parking concern

July 31, 2006

Dear Sir,

I feel compelled to inform your readers of the plans to introduce a new paying parking scheme at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. This scheme will require patients, visitors and employees to pay to park on the hospital site.

I am voicing my concerns as I have witnessed first hand the introduction of similar schemes in a number of other hospitals. In my experience the usual promises of ?increased security? and ?better facilities? is outweighed by the negative effects for the users and local community.

Primarily, patients and visitors using the emergency department or rushing to the maternity unit who are often already anxious and feeling stressed are expected to find the correct change, and spend precious time displaying their ticket to avoid the threat of having there cars clamped.

The other main problem I have witnessed following the introduction of paying parking schemes is the huge impact upon the local area. I predict that many visitors and staff will begin to park in the residential areas around the hospital, which will lead to increased congestion on the roads and frustrated local residents. I am sure that one knock on effect will be having to pay to park at the neighbouring botanical gardens.

In addition the expectation upon employees to have to pay to park at work, although a nominal amount, results in them feeling undervalued by their employer and leads to demotivation. At a time where many hospitals across the world are struggling to recruit for key roles, surely this ?nominal fee? could be waived by the hospital?

PATIENT

Warwick

Dismayed by crime

August 10, 2006

Dear Sir,

Being off the island for a spell it is a daily routine to go online to read the Royal Gazette, and what I have been reading over the past couple of months leaves me amazed and dismayed. The crimewave on the island appears to be completely out of control, right up to today?s edition showing a high speed car chase and two fellows escaping prison for unlawful wounding and house breaking.

For a very long time the authorities have downplayed what is going on, probably to prevent a panic, but one does not have to be a rocket scientist to see that there are many more criminals on the streets than what we are told. One thing is for sure, I will not be inviting any relatives or friends for a visit until there is a complete cleanup of the island.

SEEING IT AS IT IS

Pembroke