October 5, 2006

Dear Sir,

We appreciate the opportunity of your good medium to deeply thank the hundreds of people, companies and our Government who have contributed to enabling the "Bermudian' schooner (c. 1820) to come home and to the 1,000s who greeted her on her arrival last weekend. We will be following a dual track now of introducing her to the whole island and to beginning the programmes for which she was built (Please see our website for all of the above and more: www.bermudasloop.org).

We also want to take the opportunity to state that is NOT "Bermuda's first sail training vessel" as was widely reported on her arrival. To be correct, the schooner was the first dedicated sail trainer under the command of Capt. Bobby Doe.

For nine years in the 1980s, 66' schooner "CV" was involved in local and far-reaching sail training on both sides of the Atlantic, winning many friends and trophies while developing young people in the process. Numerous trips were made to the East Coast for Young Life of Bermuda, taking their kids to and from summer camps in the US. She was the centre spread in 'Yachting' magazine in 1984.

Spirit of Bermuda and 'CV" do share the same concept designer, Bermudian Bill Nash, who also built "CV" in 1976-77 at Boaz Island. 'CV" is now called "Rock Steady" and is moored in Ely's Harbour.

Once Bobby took a teenage boy who was from Korea, half American, and rejected by all. Realising that his behaviour had to change or it could endanger the whole crew, Bobby gave the teen the choice to go home on the next plane, or to make the sea voyage. The boy decided to go, and when he got off the boat in Boston he hugged Bobby and said 'Captain, thank you, this has been the best thing I have ever done in my life'.

We look forward to STVperforming the same role on a large scale for 50 years.

Sincerely,

October 5, 2006

Dear Sir,

As we pay tribute today and honour teachers, please allow me the opportunity to pay a special tribute to one of my teachers whom I have always respected and admired. I remain eternally grateful for the positive influence he had on me during my formative years in high school and continues to have on me as an adult through his constant encouragement and support. I speak of none other than Mr. McNeil Warner.

Though this was many years ago, today's front page story highlighted in my mind just how fortunate I and many other black young men were in having 'Mac' as a teacher (and headmaster for some later years).

More than teacher, Mr. Warner was a gentleman, though he could wield the cane with enough gusto to discourage any further infractions from wayward students.

Soft spoken and deliberate, Mr. Warner would have a way of making his point by sitting quietly at his desk while 25-30 raucous boys "played the fool". One by one the boys would realise that they were being observed and slowly, the noise would subside and from the front of the class, a calm voice could be heard: "I've got my education".

My favourite memory of Mr. Warner's gentle persuasion was the occasion when the class was particularly unruly during English. Mr. Warner announced that we would have to write 25 lines before leaving school. At approximately 3.15 p.m. he commenced filling the large blackboard with the "line" (i.e. a small paragraph) we were to write 25 times before going home. Now those of you in my age group will recall that going home to your parents late from school without a reasonable excuse was hazardous in itself.

This small essay that we were required to rewrite 25 times, in summary, extolled the merits of paying attention in class and following the instructions of the teacher. Needless to say none of us finished the assignment and were suitably rewarded by our parents on reaching home, late. However we all handed in the assignment the following morning as homework. Given the era of which I recall (1959-1963) and the student body of the Prospect Secondary School for Boys (the vast majority of whom became highly motivated, skilled and productive citizens of this community) I believe that Mr. McNeil Warner ('Mac') inspired the award winning film "To Sir With Love'.

Mr. Warner,

Thank you.

Smith's Parish

October 5, 2006

Dear Sir,

While on my way home from the gym last night at around 6.30 p.m. I noticed the traffic in town was backed up, and it wasn't until I saw the people in pink shirts that I remembered the Breast Cancer walk was taking place. No problem, I thought. I got stuck in traffic along Church Street and then we got stopped at the traffic lights just past the bus terminal while the men, women and children taking part in the walk crossed the road.

As I sat there in traffic thinking 'good for them doing their part', I noticed that the lights changed from red to green, but yet we didn't move. Again, no problem I thought, we'll be moving in a moment once the walkers have all passed by. So as the light changed from red to green again, and we couldn't move as the walkers still crossed the road, someone behind me in a car starts honking their horn in protest, and then another person follows suit, and soon enough I am surrounded by a cacophony of horn honking at the "inconvenience" of being stopped for a few extra moments while the walkers crossed the road. I was dumbfounded as this was a charity event, and honestly would waiting an extra few minutes really impact anyone's evening?

However, what happened next caused my jaw to drop. One of the volunteers holding up a sign to stop the traffic starts shouting/screaming obscenities at the honkers (loud, colourful f-bombs), while, I add, women and children pass behind her, to which one of the honkers starts shouting back equally obscene comments. Truly, it was disgraceful on everyone's part and I hope the people involved are ashamed of themselves.

The walk for Breast Cancer was a way for men, women and children to get together as community and do something pro-active in helping raise awareness of this disease and try to make a difference, and it was such a shame to go from a feeling of pride looking at all the different people taking part in the walk to such a feeling of disgust at the behaviour of a few. I hope the honkers got to wherever was so important on time, and I hope the lady volunteering thinks twice about offering her services again if she insists on leaving her good manners and grace at home.

And yes, I too am doing my part for Breast Cancer month and am hosting a Girls Night In for the TB & Cancer Association at the end of the month for 40+ ladies before anyone criticises me for sitting on my bike watching the walkers go by or not volunteering to hold the traffic sign.

Devonshire

October 6, 2006

Dear Sir,

I would like to address the Botanical Gardens issue in a way that I feel everyone could be addressing it and that is without political ranting and remarks about race.

While people have the right to feel strongly about political and racial issues (as I do!) it would seem to me that getting bogged down with this kind of discussion is counterproductive and does not help the Government to make a decision regarding the new hospital and the Botanical Gardens.

So let's talk about what is at stake! Firstly, the Botanical Gardens is a Bermudian national icon in addition to being a beautiful "protected" national park and a major tourist attraction.

It should remain intact if the Government is serious about sustaining a high quality of life for Bermudians.

I find it extraordinary that although we are one of the richest countries in the world, we have financial trouble when it comes to protecting our national parks.

This is shameful! Parks are incredibly valuable to society and Bermudians shouldn't be expected to accept the loss of any national park to construction, especially one that has such great educational value and is so widely used by the entire population.

Secondly, despite the fact that most people (if not all) are supportive of the need for a new hospital nobody knows why it is going to cost approximately $500 million. Even the Bermuda Hospitals Board admits they don't know (on their website).

I find it insulting that we should be expected to swallow the announcement of such an enormous amount without a full breakdown of costs being made available.

I hope that our Government addresses this deficiency soon.

I realise that there are other issues to be dealt with aside from costs but it would seem to me (after attending all of the recent BHB meetings) that finance is the most pressing issue within this decision making process.

However, I do understand that the disturbance during an existing site rebuild will not be easy to deal with (for workers and patients) but I am hopeful that it can be minimised to a bearable level.

I would like to point out that any difficulties rebuilding on the existing site will be short term whereas the effects of destroying the heart of the Botanical Gardens will be permanent.

It also seems as though a hospital on the existing site would be more able to meet our growing needs in the long run since there is more space on that site (17 acres) compared to the proposed site on the Botanical Gardens.

I would like to encourage people to express their support for the Botanical Gardens as much as they can.

There are several ways to easily do this and suggestions can be found on the website www.savethegardens.com.

While certain people are eager to make their voices heard there are others who feel strongly but will only make their opinions known if they are asked directly.

I hope that our Government will attempt to consult all Bermudians without depending entirely on the Bermuda Hospitals Board, who are unable to answer important questions relating to Government and have only dealt with those people who showed up at public meetings, which were held.

I leave you with one of my favourite quotes from the Bible, which admonishes us humans not to be unnecessarily destructive:

"As for you, my flock. . . .Is it not enough for you to feed on good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?" Ezekiel 34: 17, 18

LISA VICKERS

Smith's