Blessed with a gift

July 19, 2002

The following was sent to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and copied to The Royal Gazette.

Dear Sir,

You have a young man on your staff named Germal Stephens who is a Ward Orderly.

He, in the most positive way has delighted me and many others who frequent the hospital.

His approach, his attitude, his kind remarks and helpful responses to all those he comes in contact with (especially seniors) is most refreshing to hear and see.

He has a gift for lifting the spirits of both patients and visitors alike, you just need to be close to him. He is like a breath of fresh air.

He makes you look for him whenever you enter the hospital.

He is a pleasure to be around and a treasure to the hospital.

I bring this young man to your attention because his kind words and good deeds should be recognised by his supervisor and the hospital. If you would follow and observe him going about his duties, you would be proud that he is working with you.

This letter to you has become a must for me, and I hope that you will acknowledge it and the person it is about in the manner that it is written.

TINY BEAN

Paget

What's it all about?

July 17, 2002

Dear Sir,

About two weeks ago a very interesting piece of Caribbean news hit the international arena via the BBC. It should have received more attention in Bermuda - much, much more attention in Bermuda, particularly in the light of this Government's determination to append us to that geographical region.

The people of Antigua had finally had their say, and after the a public literally demanded a commission of inquiry into the appalling state of the healthcare system, and the missing tax dollars from the health fund, the findings were made public in London:

Two Hundred million ($200,000.000.) dollars had been siphoned off into L. Bird's private political entertainment fund over a period of 20 years of the Bird family dynasty. This money had been used to provide lavish spreads for foreign visiting 'dignitaries'. (Was our Premier not there last year and the year previously together with our man at the top on funeral and official business?) This fund was dipped into in an unlimited way by the politicians in power and their families, to travel and to host private extravaganzas. Fact.

Meanwhile the health care on the Island is worse than rudimentary and people die through lack of the basics.

And this is the Caricom we are being forced to attach ourselves to? Why? To Mr. Bascome, we are not cynical sceptics; to Lt. Col Bird sorry Burch, we are not racists. We are realists who have worked hard for a good Bermuda.

We had so much going for us. Must we join forces with manifestly autocratic and corrupt Governments? Or is that what the New Bermuda is really all about?

PIQUOT BY CHOICE

St. David's

The essence of Bermuda

July 13, 2002

Dear Sir:

I am writing in regard to a commercial I saw recently about Bermuda on the Travel Channel. Wanting to take a holiday myself, I was intrigued with the content of this mystery commercial and wondered what country it was. When I found out the commercial was promoting Bermuda, I could not believe my eyes.

I was absolutely impressed with the persuasive television advertisement that combined the essence of Bermuda's island life with class and sophistication. I am so pleased that the commercial reaches potential tourists in all of North America. Hats off to whoever created and funded the commercial; you've done a spectacular job!

IMPRESSED AMERICAN

Flatts

A special thanks

July 15, 2002

Dear Sir,

Please allow me to thank some special people.

On Thursday, June 27, I had an accident in Southampton, which required medical treatment. The Southampton Fire Station team was the first to respond to my call and they performed at a high professional standard. By the time the ambulance arrived I was ready to be transferred to the hospital.

On our way to the hospital several motorists did not give way to the ambulance, even though its emergency alerts were on, therefore demonstrating a total disregard of the law.

I would like to ask the motoring community to show more respect to the ambulance when the emergency alerts are on - you could be helping to save someone's life and, in fact, your own life could be at risk some time.

EDWARD CATTELL

Smith's Parish

P.s. Thank you Billy and David for everything.

About time too

July 17, 2002

Dear Sir,

I hear on this morning's news (July 17) that the Minister of Transport is planning a serious overhaul of the local Motor Car Act, which probably is in drastic need of it as I believe it dates back to 1951! While not having been one of Dr. Brown's biggest fans over the PLP's years in power, I do applaud his intentions both to toughen up the driving tests and to consider the introduction of formal "two-wheel" training, both of which (especially the latter) are long overdue. I mean, where do bike riders do their practising before they go to TCD to get their licences?

I would also like to suggest that anyone already holding a driving licence from overseas should be able to produce it as proof of his or her driving ability when he/she goes to TCD, and should be granted a local licence for the same vehicle class(es) without having to do the actual driving test. That way Government would still get their money for the issue of the driver's licence, while the prospective driver wouldn't have to wait too long for a driving test to be able to drive on local roads: the last time I checked, the waiting period for a car driving test was about four months.

A word of caution here, though. Don't just accept any country's driving licence as proof of competence, as standards do vary widely from continent to continent, never mind from country to country! I'd be looking initially to exempt European and North American licence-holders, as the vast majority of our overseas workers come from those two areas and because the driving standards there are reasonably high, but I'd consider any country's licences depending upon their individual standards.

DAVIE KERR

St. George's