Give us a smile

January 9, 2004

Dear Sir,

The people who normally work on a Sunday who are complaining are most likely the ones who can't seem to smile, always seem to have a bad attitude and probably figure the packer ought to work twice as hard even though he/she isn't getting paid by any of you.

1.How can a person who doesn't like smiling work at the MarketPlace?

2.If you can't handle working from 1-5p.m why would you even show up?

3. Groceries in the States don't have any young packers and every booth is full of cashiers and they're packing two to three bags. Some of the customers, even help out at times to ease up the cashier.

Yes, you're probably right about them doing homework on a weekend but wouldn't it be better on the child if he/she had done it on a Friday or Saturday so that their Sundays are always free?

Bottom line is that in terms of 2004 and some people seemingly getting more and more cranky, 2005 is obviously going to be a whole lot worse.

Better to be a big fish...

January 9, 2004

Dear Sir,

Once upon a time there was a little Goldfish called: Bank of Bermuda: He was of pure gold, 100 per cent, 24 carat.

He ventured into the financial cesspool of New York full of Sharks and barracudas, and the rest is history.

Let's sink this silly idea

January 13, 2004

Dear Sir,

I hate to slam a guy for trying, BUT .... this seems to be Alice in Wonderland type stuff! I certainly hope Government is not considering the purchase of theas suggested by Mr. Taylor, so as to "entertain and reward overseas travel agents who sell Bermuda vacations during the summer" and "For the rest of the year, Bermudians in the hospitality industry who have shown outstanding service will enjoy free Caribbean cruises."

I am at a loss to see how this would benefit the tourism industry in Bermuda. It would be far more cost effective to send a well deserving Bermudian on a cruise ship holiday in the Caribbean (you can buy a lot of cruises in the Caribbean for $20 million!).

It would be a total waste of taxpayer's money to purchase or finance the purchase of this extravagance, never mind the costs necessary to run the boat, staff the boat, the fuel bill, maintenance costs and other associated entertainment costs onboard. How is it intended to finance the maintenance and upkeep for the boat?

At the end of the day the Bermuda taxpayer will, and this is not acceptable. To think that the Department of Tourism would cease their advertising activities and spend three years' budgets ($20 million) on the acquisition of a luxury yacht is patently ridiculous. $20 million could be applied in any number of ways to benefit tourism that might actually have an effect, i.e. an airplane that has the potential to actually increase the number of tourists to Bermuda.

The housing issue in Bermuda could also do with an injection of $20 million of capital into the BHC to get the 1,000 people on the waiting list a home ? I'm sure there are a number of other issues that could also benefit from a portion of the proposed $20 million. Inventiveness ? no doubt! But this is so far outside the box it's ridiculous! But I give Mr. Taylor full marks for trying!