We are most fortunate

January 27, 2003

Dear Sir,

The Council Partners Charitable Trust is a well-managed fund raising organisation which asks for accountability from the programme that it helps to fund. The Council Partners needs to show the donors how their money is being spent and whether it is being spent constructively.

To do this they require the organisations they fund to adhere to certain standards. Criticism of the Council Partners for requiring accountability is totally unjustified for without accountability how can they justify spending the funds they raise? We are most fortune, on this Island, to have the help of foreign as well as local companies without whose involvement none of the organisations supported would be able to function. So let's spend their generous donations in a constructive way and be accountable.

We need to learn to manage and run these programmes professionally and only then will we see favourable results which are so desperately needed in our community. As a small Island we should be able to set an example to the rest of the world on how to control drug and alcohol abuse. We need to make it inclusive and all of us should work to solve this serious problem.

JANINE LINES

Pembroke

Seatbelt law equals money?

January 28, 2003

Dear Sir,

I am responding to the letter in today's paper written by Dr. Joseph Froncioni (Seatbelts are Safer, January 28, 2003). Sorry, Dr. Froncioni , but I agree with Mr. Bromby's original point in that this new seat belt law is ridiculous. First of all, you say that you have done research on the Internet - just how relevant is that information to us in Bermuda?

I agree with the new law as far as safely securing children, because children cannot speak up for themselves or protect themselves. As for the rest of us, God gave each of us a little something called `free will'. It's something that gives us the right to determine what is right for ourselves.

People will then say that when people get in accidents we all pay in the long run. Well, what about all those people out there who engage in dangerous sports like motorcross racing, and boat racing - we actually had a death last year in which a person was killed doing just that. So what should government do - ban boat racing?

While we're at it we shouldn't build any buildings - construction is dangerous, someone could plunge to their death. We shouldn't let our kids participate in gymnastics, heaven forbid someone should break their neck. While we're at it, why such a dangers place. You could be hit by a bus crossing the street, or shot, stabbed or murdered.

If Government feels so strongly about this law, why isn't it being enforced now? Why wait until 2004, if one person a year loses their life, so you say? Shouldn't we try to save that one life, if this is so important? Also, if your car has no seat belts, you are exempt from this.

So some people have to abide by this and some people don't-does that make sense? Why don't the powers that be just admit what this is, just another money-making exercise to put more money into the government coffers and spare us the ludicrous thought that they care so much about what happens to us.

NOT CONVINCED

Hamilton Parish

P.s. Isn't it ironic that most deaths on the road and violence in nightclubs, etc. is due to the consumption of alcohol - a product that is legal and readily available to us. Do we hear government calling for a ban on alcohol? What does the good doctor have to say about that? Just wondering.

The impact of ageing

January 28, 2002

Dear Sir,

A few days ago there was an article in The Royal Gazette talking about the increased costs of medical insurance. Today there was an article stating that the UK was facing a doubling of Alzheimer care costs. Governments of the world are finally beginning to pay close attention to the fact that the first of the Baby Boomers born in 1944 will shortly begin to retire.

Most Western countries, like Bermuda, have had low birth rates for many years, and as the Baby Boomers retire this will mean fewer people paying into the social system of those countries. This could prove economically catastrophic for many nations, i.e. more senior citizens to support but with less people in the work force to support them.

The health systems of the world will also be scrambling to find funds to care for a fast growing elderly population. Many Westernised nations will be looking to substantial tax increases to try and combat these rapidly increasing costs.

Bermuda has considerable protection from this gloomy economic forecast. We have a constant turnaround of young people coming into our workforce, paying money into the social system and health care system, and then leaving the island. I am talking about the expatriate workforce. This is a benefit that appears not to have been appreciated by many people including our Government, both past and present.

As the Bermudian Baby Boomers age, it will be the young Bermudian workforce that will have to support them, and there is simply not enough of them. Without the constant turnaround of young expatriates, Bermuda would be facing a difficult future in caring for its aging population. Terry Lister's call for roundtable talks on managing growth and immigration is important, but the Government must look at both the negative and positive impacts to our society.

LYNNE WINFIELD

Somerset

Tribute to Andrea Bicari

January 26, 2003

Dear Sir,

Shock, dismay and so many other words come to mine when one considers the tragic death of Andrea Bicari. During the time I knew Andrea - through her work at the Montessori School - I always marveled at her ability in dealing with young children. She was the model of the consummate nurturer. Rarely did I ever see her without an absolutely beautiful smile on her face. Even in times of stress, so often associated with young children in a group environment, she never appeared to lose her composure. She was the poster child of one who was meant to deal with children.

Her daughter, Asha, and my youngest granddaughter were close friends at Montessori. For her birthday present Asha was given a trip to Orlando with any friend of her choosing. She selected my granddaughter. The challenge for our family became how to tell the oldest granddaughter that her younger sister would be the first in the family to set foot in Disney World, solo. The challenge was quickly and voluntarily answered when Andrea asked if our oldest could also accompany them. Talk about sensitivity.

And because it was Andrea, none of us had the least problem saying yes. The children departed in a happy state completely oblivious to the doting parents and grandparents left behind.

They returned after a week ecstatic about an adventure that would never have taken place had it not been for this remarkable young woman. Andrea's confidence and caring has benefited so many children, and their families, here in Bermuda and she typifies what so many of us sometimes take for granted. The role of teachers the unsung heroes of our society. And Andrea in this elite group. Your memory will always stand tall.

STUART G. DOYLE

Pembroke

A thank you to Belco

This was sent to Mr. Gary Madeiros, CEO, Bermuda Electric Light Co. Ltd., and copied to The Royal Gazette.

Dear Mr. Madeiros,

We would like to thank the brave linesmen who came to repair the broken line on our transformer pole on the morning following the bad storm last week. We lost electrical power around midnight after a rather spectacular `light show' on the pole before the cable burnt through. I phoned Belco around eight o'clock the next morning and the repair crew arrived and restored power about 90 minutes later in rough weather. Congratulations and many thanks.

GRATEFUL

St. David's

Toughen up Westgate

January 16, 2003

Dear Sir,

I am writing in response to the letter dated January 8, 2003 that is entitled "Make prisoners work". Perhaps I have watched too many movies, but I believe that prison should be a place that is feared. Many people in Bermuda do fear the Westgate Correctional Facility. However, there are many people (mostly recidivists) that do not fear it. Many of us know of former prisoners who openly state that it is no big deal being locked up. I agree with the letter writer that prisoners should be put to work.

Let persistent recidivists (give others a chance to learn a skill or further their education) work - hard labour. Perhaps, 14 hour days of hard manual labour in the August heat, with just the right amount of water and six hours of sleep for six days a week will make Westgate a feared place that no one would ever want to end up in.

Even now, as I write this, I hope that I never break the law and end up there and that this form of rehabilitation has been adopted. I can imagine myself agonising in the hot sun digging a trench as a smug prison officer reads this letter that he found in The Royal Gazette's archives. I promise to behave so as not to have to endure this indignity and I think that many, many repeat offenders would also learn to fear prison and respect our laws.

ANDREW GRIFITH

Toronto, Ontario

(by way of Southampton)