August 9, 2002

Dear Sir,

Recent events have prompted me to reply to the letter of The Jester in Friday, August 9, 2002 Royal Gazette. Last week I had a visit on the Horizon from friends from London, a couple with their son and daughter-in-law and four children. To my surprise they were ecstatic about the ship, the food was excellent, and the entertainment, cabins and facilities for children beyond expectation.

They were also all given a $50 voucher to spend ashore, which delighted the children and came in handy for the adults, too. We spoke about tourism generally, and my friend pointed out that had the family come by air, the airfares alone would have cost what they had paid for the entire cruise, which of course included accommodation, entertainment and food for five (or is it six?) days.

Unfortunately cutting cruise ship visits will not bring more air arrivals, at least not until airfares are drastically reduced, and all inclusive charger flights introduced. The Jester admits that the country benefits hugely from port taxes and head tax, but to say that tour operators, retailers, restaurants and taxi drivers do not benefit is nonsense.

Imagine what the economy of Dockyard and St. George's would be without the cruise ships. Also many cruise passengers get their first taste of Bermuda this way, and plan repeat visits. It is an introduction that many would not otherwise have experienced.

Of course hotel guests spend more money, they have to, but isn't it a conflict of interests to have a hotelier as a Minister of Tourism? Surely such a position should be held by someone totally unbiased, with the overall benefit to Bermuda as the prime factor.

E. RABEN

Paget

August 6, 2002

Dear Sir,

Isn't it amazing that FedEx, which boats "overnight delivery", can possibly take so long to deliver a package? I suppose I should be grateful that I received my package on Monday, August 5, however after looking up the tracking details I noticed that FedEx (international) got the package from Melbourne, Australia to Pembroke, Bermuda in two days.

It arrived in Bermuda on Saturday July 27, after being picked up on Thursday July 25. Not bad really, two days to get to Bermuda. However I noticed that according to the tracking details my package sat in the FedEx facility in Pembroke Bermuda for the next eight days!

Okay, now I knew that Cup Match weekend was coming up and that is why I organised to have very important Exporting Papers for my cat sent by FedEx the week before Cup Match. Heaven forbid that I would think that the staff at FedEx would possibly work over the Thursday and Friday!

I didn't realise that the two-day holiday actually must have started at the beginning of the week, or were they really at work? For the use of this speedy service I have the privilege of paying approximately $55 - is it worth it? One has to wonder. Thank goodness they don't ship live animals!

SUE ELLIOTT

Smith's Parish

August 10, 2002

Dear Sir,

When will the Chief Medical officer and the Permanent Secretary of Health tell us what they propose doing to protect us from the West Nile virus? Or when will they tell the Minister of Health Nelson Bascome to tell us? Will they:

1. Provide media information and raise the country's awareness about what we must do to protect ourselves in Bermuda, and warn us about the risks when we travel to infected jurisdictions?

2. Reinstate spraying of all aircraft entering Bermuda, which was considered a good idea when it was done previously. And what about the ships? Is it not possible they can transport the mosquito carrying the West Nile virus to Bermuda?

3. Step up the pressure and cause us to be more vigilant around our properties to prevent mosquitoes from breeding?

4. Tell us what the symptoms are, and what we must do should we become infected.

5. Alert the medical profession to ensure they have the right treatment on hand in case someone becomes infected. And will they inform us or do we just lay back uninformed and infected?

QUINTON L. EDNESS

Warwick

August 9, 2002

Dear Sir,

Hello - Bank of N.T. Butterfield - Bermuda dollar banking machine at the airport! Why? Why in the world would any bank in Bermuda put the banking machine at the exit of an airport prior to putting your belongings through inspection process. Duh! Why would local and/or guests to the Island want to receive Bermuda Dollars when leaving? If anything the banking machine should give out US dollars, which is a currency used worldwide.

Do you know how many people are stuck with "surprised" Bermuda dollars when leaving the Island, thinking that the banking machine will give them US dollars. Think about it? Then these people say, do you know how much I will get back from my bank when I give them Bermuda dollars, maybe half the value!

It would not be a problem charging the banking fees, after all the banks underhandedly slip in those "hidden" bank fees anyway, so why not do the same when people take out funds at the airport. Either put US dollars in the machine, or get rid of it.

THE FAR THINKER

Flatts Village

August 13, 2002

Dear Sir,

I have been attempting the daily crossword puzzles for approximately the last 30 years. Usually I can complete the puzzle except perhaps for the odd one or two clues. I look forward to it every day. Now and again there is a spell of them being very difficult.

Recently I have found them to be almost impossible. When they are so difficult there is absolutely no enjoyment - no challenge. Where on earth are they coming from? Does anyone else share my views?

FRUSTRATED

Warwick

August 13, 2002

Dear Sir,

Please allow us the space in your column to muster our frustration and sadness. Why is it that pepper spray is legal in other countries but not in Bermuda? Maybe, just maybe, attacks on women could be prevented if pepper spray were legal here in Bermuda.

Can someone please give us an answer to our question? Would it at all be possible that The Bermuda Police or some other organisation bring in the pepper spray for women to protect themselves from a potential attacker?

Have each woman who requires the pepper spray to fill out a registration form with a registered number and it at any time it is used they must report it to the correct authorities with an explanation as to why, when and where it was used. It could also be stated to the women that receive the pepper spray that they must bring it in every four to six months to have it examined so that it can be registered on file that it has not been misused in any way.

Maybe this could be a possible solution that could help the women of Bermuda as this, we are sure, has helped thousands of women all over the world. If this is not a viable solution, then is there anyone out there that can help us with one?

PROTECT US

Devonshire

August 12, 2002

Dear Sir,

Horse manure all over Church Bay, Long Bay in Southampton! Why is this allowed? Do you know how disgusting it is to go for a walk on these beaches, to sunbathe and/or swim? You have flies all around you, the smell is putrid and you cannot walk and or lie on the beach because of all the horse droppings.

This is dangerous for the public; diseases are passed this way. Please please for the safety of the people and the beauty of Bermuda stop these horses from being taken over these beaches. Surely there is enough land elsewhere for them to use.

If you cannot stop it, then at least have the riding stables and private individuals who do these rides go everyday to the beaches to clean up after each and every ride and if they don't, penalise them severely.

Why should having horses in Hamilton wearing diaper bags be any different, these horse should be forced to use them as well. It is disgusting that there are free to poop on the beaches and just leave it there. It is unacceptable!

I know that they have been allowed to enjoy this privilege for a long time, but it is time now to appreciate that Bermuda os over populated, a lot more people are using the beaches, small children, family gatherings, tourists, etc.

And there are a lot more diseases being passed around and horse manure sure does have disease concerns. Please seriously look into this matter and have this stopped ASAP. Where are the health inspectors who police this sort of thing?

CLEANER BEACHES

Smith's Parish