April 23, 2004

Dear Sir,

I refer to Ripped off and Over-ruled?s letter dated April 23 regarding British Airways.

We are here from the UK and we have also had to change our return date, as when we booked our ticket to come out to Bermuda we could only book a six-month return ticket although we intended to be in Bermuda for one year. It cost $178 per ticket to change our return date.

So it looks like we are being charged at both ends, UK and Bermuda. (But again the usual story ?depends on who you know that works at BA?, as we do know people who have not been charged.)

BA knows there is no other way for us to get off the Island or return back from London, unless we go via America. So in a way we are trapped into paying these ridiculous unfair fees.

As there are so many people on the Island who spend a lot of money on these flights every year, you would think that BA would introduce an open ticket for Bermuda. They are obviously getting enough business from the people in Bermuda, as they intend to keep four flights on per week through out the winter.

To be honest if there was another airline that would fly direct from London to Bermuda we would not be using BA.

UNHAPPY BA CUSTOMER

Smith?s Parish

April 23, 2004

Dear Sir,

Most CableVision customers have tales of woe to tell, but my experience with the company this week leads me to believe that things are changing!

We live in Pembroke and have seen ads announcing that our area is now cable-ready, so I logged onto www.cablevision.bm to see how we might become digital customers. At the website, I hit ?contact us?, sending the company an e-mail, requesting information. Within ten minutes I had a reply, asking for my daytime contact number.

Within half an hour, Ms Hall of CableVision phoned to ask which tiers of service I would like, directing me to the website where the full menu is available. She gave me her phone number (294-2985) and said to call her back with my selections. I did and was pleasantly surprised when she told me that the switch to digital could be made the next day between the hours of 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Further, she said that the technician doing the work would call me 20 minutes or so before he was ready to do the job, so that I wouldn?t need to stay at home all afternoon. When no one had phoned by about 3.30 p.m., I called Ms Hall to ask if we were still on the schedule. She assured me we were. At 5 p.m., I left work without having heard from CableVision, but within ten minutes of arriving at home the technician called to say he would be there shortly. Just after 5.30 p.m., he and another technician arrived and within 15 minutes our three televisions were connected to digital CableVision with new boxes and remotes.

Thank you CableVision for providing efficient, timely service and a broad, new variety of digital radio and TV stations with terrific quality. We are satisfied customers.

SUSAN McGRATH-SMITH

Pembroke

April 25, 2004

Dear Sir,

Would the Police please do something about the Bermuda Gas truck which regularly closes down one lane on Reid Street in the morning while people are trying to get into Hamilton?

The result is traffic backed up for quite a distance. The availability of a loading zone nearby only adds to the annoyance. On Reid Street between Burnaby and Queen Streets again delivery trucks are double parked because the ?loading? areas are full. Many of the commercial trucks in those loading zones are not delivering but are simply parked there for convenience.

A trawl of the coffee houses in the area would find most of the drivers. In the mornings these loading zones should be just for loading or unloading and not for convenient parking by the drivers of small commercial vehicles.

TRAFFIC CZAR

Devonshire

April 7, 2004

Dear Sir,

I suggest that some people change their business hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and others 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (if you don?t have any children to pick up that is). This way it reduces rush hour traffic every afternoon.

The 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. people would leave at 5 p.m., the 6 p.m. people leave at 6 p.m. and so forth. Some people may not mind that (I?m not sure how the people who work in town feel about it).

THINKING OF SUGGESTION

Pembroke

April 9, 2004

Dear Sir,

During a recent visit to Bermuda I read with interest the various articles and commentaries on Bermuda?s seemingly budding relationship with Cuba.

While, as an American, I have strong negative feelings about the atrocities Fidel has imposed on his people, I do feel this is something that Bermuda must deal with.

I do however have some advice for Americans that might plan to use Bermuda as a base to illegally visit Cuba. My advice is ?don?t?. I had two American friends who did so from Caribbean islands and they are both still in big trouble with US Customs and Immigration. They still have no idea how they were discovered but both agree they would never do it again.

SAGE ADVICE

Charlotte, North Carolina

April 12, 2004

Dear Sir,

With the Independence debate starting again I would like to add my two cents worth. I have visited many of the Caribbean islands and lived in some for up to six months so I feel obliged to pass on the information that I have gathered.

The islands that are in the best shape financially and have the best infrastructure, i.e. roads, schools, public utilities, etc. are the islands that are still connected to a larger country. Take Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands for example. They both have a good road system and their justice system is probably no more corrupt than America.

On the other hand look at the abysmal state that Haiti is in and they have been independent for over a 100 years. I have just returned from a trip to Jamaica where the roads are in terrible repair. The streets in Montego Bay look as if they haven?t been swept this century and most of the buildings needed painting. The Post Office was in terrible repair with paint peeling form the walls.

I talked with one young Jamaican whose job it was to ferry tourists down the Grand River. For this he received $7 a trip, and he could do two trips a day if he was lucky. But there were over 30 men that have rafts on the river so sometimes there was only one trip a day. Other times there were none. In Jamaica you have to pay for schooling. So with he bad times that they are now facing they are also developing an uneducated generation. Which is only going to lead to more problems in the future.

I also visited Cozumel recently, which is a Mexican Island. Although Mexico is not a rich country, the roads were paved the city had new buildings and it had the feel of prosperity that Jamaica lacked.

I would like to suggest that before anyone votes in favour of Independence that they visit the independent islands to our south and compare the standard of living with ours in Bermuda. Also check their statistics and see which way the gross national product has moved. In other words are the people better off today or before independence? Also check to see how much its costs them to represent themselves with embassies, consulates and at the United Nations.

JOHN JENSEN

Okinawa, Japan

April 23, 2004

Dear Sir,

Please allow me space in your newspaper to express my opinion regarding the issue of granting gays and lesbians basic human rights. When I read Patrice Minors? position that same sex families are not capable of raising a child with moral values, I was deeply offended. I believed the statement was ludicrous, unfounded and based on prejudice and ignorance.

Patrice Minors feels that same sex parents cannot teach a child the difference between right and wrong or good or bad. Is she suggesting then the only people capable of raising morally sound children are those of the opposite sex? I wonder where do single parents fit into her definition, gay or straight? Are they considered a family? Can they be capable of raising moral children then why are our jails full of immoral adults? I wonder how many of those immoral adults were raised by gay/lesbians. Definitely food for thought.

I am a single lesbian parent. I have a wonderful daughter who is happy, healthy and full of life. I know that I am morally sound, full of love and life with lots to teach and learn from and with my daughter.

I do not care whether Patrice Minors or anyone else for that matter believes, just by my sexuality, I am not capable of raising a morally sound child and we are not considered a family. To be honest their opinion of me is none of my business. My only concern about Patrice Minors? statement is that she is in a position of influence. And comments such as hers? do little but fan the flame of ignorance and prejudice, the very same flame that Gays and Lesbians want to extinguish.

GAY PARENT CREATING

A WONDERFUL FAMILY

April 23, 2004

Dear Sir,

Thank you for the opportunity of sharing the following with you and your readers. It is with regards to a conversation I overheard on Continental Airways flight to Bermuda on April 18, last.

The flight had a slight mechanical delay and things were relatively quiet after the announcement. Passenger 10C was not what I would describe as a loud mouth and I was not eavesdropping. First time visitors to Bermuda occupied seats 10A and 10B. The manner in which he spoke about Bermuda (my home) caused me to listen to the conversation. When asked if he was from Bermuda, his answer was, ?no I am American, I work in Bermuda.?

He gave advice about every restaurant within walking distance of their hotel, the Fairmont Hamilton Princess. Each restaurant was described as to the type of food, dress code, price structure etc. He mentioned the Market Place on Church Street and the variety of meals available. He touched on the Church Bay. And he dwelled on the friendliness of Bermudians. He mentioned that Good Friday would be a great time to visit as Bermudians flew kites, baked hot cross buns and cooked fish cakes. He talked with so much enthusiasm that I asked that he sit across from me, as I wanted to talk with him. In response to a question, he replied, ?I enjoy talking about Bermuda.? ?I have never had anything bad happen to me in all of the time I have been there.?

I enjoyed my return flight home, delay and all. Thanks to Manuel Yglesias.

LLOYD WEBBE

April 21, 2004

Dear Sir,

This letter is going to start off with our good Samaritan Mr. Fubler nd then on to other things that I need to say.

We would like to say how supportive our family is of Mr. Gerald Fubler in his striving attempts to help our youth in the Somerset area. I have a son who always attended Mr. Fubler?s youth centre from young, until they had nowhere to go. What a shame. The children respect Mr. Fubler and consider him a very important role model in our Somerset community and their lives. I have known Mr. Fubler and his family nearly all my life and I am so proud of what he has accomplished in these young children. Mr. Fubler, if I had a building that you could use for your youth programme I would give it to you without any hesitation.

I would only hope that those people who own buildings (not occupied) will come forward and offer their assistance.

Being a parent is hard work as we all know who have children at the youth age, we do all the right things for them when they are young keeping them involved in activities/sports and keeping them focused doing the right things, and then when they reach 13 to 14 years of age BAM! Things begin to change, but I find the important thing to do is to always remind your children you are there for them, show them love and talk to them, even if they don?t want to hear it, say it anyway, always be home for them when ever they need you they know where to find you it?s called keeping in touch.

How about Government? I am talking about both political parties in Sandys UBP and PLP how are you going to assist? I am sure Mr. Fubler and the young adults do not want to hear about the promising tactics and then never deliver comments (reminder, you all want to make promises around election time) and those of you on the committee branches in Somerset both UBP and PLP stop gossiping about whose children are doing what and get out there and show your support to Mr. Fubler and try and help him do something for our youth. These are innocent children who are getting penalised for siting on a wall or playing with their remote control cars on school fields etc., or having their character references scarred by people who make nasty comments about them.

The Police Service today seem to think because they are in a uniform they are the boss. They need to be educated on how to deal with personalities of our youth they are human just like the Police, and I hate to say it but most of the Police force today are made up of young men who are not mature enough to be servicing our community they lack experience. The Police need to concentrate in finding better tactics to use when dealing with our youth and one of those tactics is respect (as the saying goes ... to get respect you have to give) I do realise the Police have a very dangerous job to do sometimes, but that?s what they are there for, as long as they are educated and experienced they should be able to handle anything that falls in their hands. The Police in New York City, Boston, London to name a few, deal with a large amount of crime everyday all day, but they handle it. Why? Because they are properly educated and trained and armed. (Armed ... pretty scary) Well maybe that?s what we need.

Times have changed I know, but years ago when we were growing up the Police then, use to be our role models they were friendly, honest, stern not domineering in anyway they were well respected.

It is disturbing to hear and see so many people out there who really believe they re Christians it makes me laugh, and quite scary to see these people practising Christianity shouting and screaming in loud voices it leaves nothing desirable to attract the youth. (Maybe scare them away) there is a way to preach and speak of Christianity to others you don?t need to screaming it. It?s awful. They call themselves Christians therefore they think they are perfect (far from it).

PARENT

Sandys

April 27, 2004

Dear Sir,

After minimal coverage in the media, I had to write to acknowledge all those involved in the SPCA Fair. What a wonderful thing those tireless ladies at the SPCA did for the youth and animals of Bermuda this last weekend. They worked so hard to provide an alternative to the Exhibition.

Kudos especially to Jodi, Teresa and Miriam, whose organisation and enthusiasm provided a day to remember for those who attended. It could not have taken place without all those who volunteered their time and skills, especially all those youngsters who helped, they deserve some positive reports in light of recent negative events. So come on ... front page next time?

It may not have been ?the exhibition?, but with a small paid staff and a huge army of volunteers you could not have gotten a more educational, fun, family day out. Giving credit where it is due, thanks on behalf of all the children and animals in Bermuda.

MANDY ROBERTS-SIMAS

Devonshire