February 3, 2005

Dear Sir,

One would hope that the gale and storm force gusts which buffeted Bermuda on February 2, with more gales in the forecast, would dispel the notion of putting the docks on the exposed North Shore area by the Ducking Stool and Blackwatch Pass.

MONICA BERRY

Langton Hill, Pembroke

Value different opinions

February 3, 2005

Dear Sir,

I think Lt. Col. David Burch ought to realise that anyone who has an opinion that differs from his is not automatically wrong, and I would still like to know just how Independence would benefit the average decent hard-working Bermudian.

VOX ORIENTALIS

St. George's

We need storm checks

February 3, 2005

Dear Sir,

The picture coverage of yesterday's “little Fabian” was good, good enough to let us know there will always be structures, fittings, umbrellas, boats, and vegetation that high winds will bring out its weaknesses and show the need for occasional security checks throughout Bermuda.

Maybe the Structural Engineers could, if they have not already, check the walls of the Causeway as I believe these were our strongest winds since Fabian. The Agriculture & Fisheries' vegetation professionals could possibly check the large trees overhanging our public roads as well, and request the owners to secure those, if not already done by Ag & Fish.

Outside of visual checks, are there meters or another type tool that can check the strength or weakness of retaining walls?

ROGER & OUT

City of Hamilton

Time to raise the bar

January 31, 2004

Dear Sir,

It's 2005 and time for us to collaborate on resolving a numbers of issues that afflict our Island. I believe in being a part of the solution, so my friends and I would like to share our suggestions which we feel are reasonable and attainable.

1. A Pink Card could be issued to all those who have visited our Island more than five times. This card would then entitle the visitor to discounts at participating hotels, restaurants, and other places of business. It's a win-win for all (Y. Vallis/L. Bassett).

2. Once publicised, invite all charities, private sector and public sector donors of grants and scholarships to record some particulars on the recipients of those grants or scholarships in a national database located on Government's Website. This establishes much needed transparency that levels the playing field for all who need, desire or earn the right to financial support for educational purposes. (L. Bassett). Rejections should also be listed (S. McKay).

3. To ensure that our students are exposed to and learn about the economics of this Island and the global impact required by our people to survive in this world, I suggest that we include Economics as a part of the curriculum as early as grade 1.

4.Require all parking violations to be paid in full before issuing driver's licences or bike licences. These monies could be used to repair our roads - a prime example is St. John's Road.

5. There should be a law requiring all motorists to use their headlights on rainy days. Roadside foliage is only one factor that can cause certain coloured vehicles to blend into the background, temporarily impairing the vision of oncoming traffic.

6. A statistic that appeared in the Royal Gazette on November 7, 2004 revealed that there are approximately 1000 cars/sq. mile. The rules of the road need to be modified to guarantee the safety of all of our citizens. There ought to be a law requiring joggers, walkers, pedal bike riders, skaters etc. to do so in single file or use the roads at their own risk. Our roads are being used for more purposes than was originally intended and are used by more vehicles than we had originally envisioned.

7. If this is a democracy, then we need to increase the import tax for Bermudian travellers to $600. We should have freedom of choice especially since items that cost as little as $10 in the US can cost 8 times as much here in Bermuda. Why should we pay a penalty for exercising choice when the local option is unfair, unreasonable and just plain ‘highway robbery'?

8. We need to take the Appraisal Process out of the hands of the Real Estate Firms and their affiliates. We need to finance the training of interested parties to get Independent Appraisers on Island. This would ensure that the true value of buildings and land is re-established. We have already far exceeded that value which is impacting Tourism and the very survival of our own people.

9. Would it not be cheaper to put a light at the entrance to the Sanitation Facility located at Marsh Folly and Palmetto Road rather than have a body or two or sometimes three sitting by the roadside waiting to assist trucks entering or leaving the site? Surely the manpower could be used more efficiently elsewhere.

10. There ought to be a law that foul mouthed politicians, students and members of the community would be fined $500 for cursing in public. This practice is so common place here that it has become a natural part of the public discourse. Pity! Such an example for our children.

11. Last but definitely not least, we need to do additional research of programmes and qualified staff to put a more effective plan in place to more readily address the needs of our Youth.

Yes, you may or may not see light is the suggestions given, but remember this: ‘It's up to you to weigh the price you must pay for each of your freedoms. Everything you want has a price. There's a price you'll pay for changing things and a price you'll pay for leaving things as they are.' Dr.C. Leitschuh

L. BASSETT

Smith's Parish

Cells slow reactions

February 3, 2005

Dear Sir,

There was an article in today's paper which came from Washington which said drivers who talk on cell phones end up driving like elderly people with slower reaction times and a tendency to miss what is right in front of them.

Even when they used “hands-free” devices, young drivers who normally have the quickest reflexes drove like 70-year-olds, the team at the University of Utah found. Frank Drews, an assistant professor of psychology, said: “If you want to act old really fast, drive while talking on a cell phone”.

Something for all drivers to think about. If they want people to call them 70-year-old drivers who shouldn't be on the road because they lack fast reflexes then they will continue to cell phone drive.

CELLPHONES =ELDERLY DRIVERS

Pembroke