Smaller isn't better...

November 18, 2004

Dear Sir,

Another article, another suggestion and no solution ... In Matthew Taylor's article today, he reflected on the National Trust's suggestion to 'examine the car tax policy to further encourage smaller vehicles'. Amazingly, did the Trust ever think that reducing the tax on cars does not solve traffic gridlock, congestion or the high number of accidents on Bermuda roads. It only means that there will be more cars on the road ... though smaller.

Am I missing the point or can we not think outside of the box? Bermuda is considered an affluent 'society' and Bermudians and non-Bermudians like their cars. I'm still confused how we quantify 'affluent', but changing the law to allow schools to purchase their own buses does not solve the problem. Stopping people on East Broadway, etc. does not solve the problem. These band-aid solutions help, though temporary, but the problems remain and more car dealers are allowed to import cars without conscience and under the disguise of smaller is better and a lets' protect the environment mentality.

We have and had a Government that believes in legislation to get things done, though not always successful, so I would suggest that Government legislates or considers a policy to:

1) Make it illegal for expat or non-Bermudian workers (unless they have a family, with kids), to own a car on Bermuda roads.

2) Restrict the issue of assessment numbers to multi-apartment developments and restrict the issue of assessment numbers to family homes with more than one apartment.

3) Restrict the number of GP cars and vehicles on the road. Government has to look within and reduce their fleet size.

4) Improve and upgrade ferry stops throughout the Island. Specifically, buying land near each stop for parking.

5) Legislate that all car and bike accident operators be alcohol tested on the spot and drug tested within 24 hours of an accident.

6) Eliminate the Road Safety Council and give such responsibility to TCD to directly manage, monitor and suggest recommendations for improvements. I shouldn't have to share the sidewalk with a Segway or will they suggest that all sidewalks have a line down the middle.

7) Improve communication and advertise re. the dangers of driving whilst under the influence, fast, etc.

8) Bring back the law, whereas we have to wait one year to buy another car, unless our present car is older than six years.

9) Impose a daily surcharge fee on vehicles entering and parking in Hamilton Monday to Friday.

10) Impose stiffer 'off the road' terms for car and bike violations or a three strikes rule, etc.

It's not a matter of being Draconian, but peoples' mentality towards cars will not change. Only the law can and should be changed. Contrary to your headline, small is not beautiful. Small only means that smaller cars can fit into Bermuda's already narrow parking bays.

A reasoned suggestion

November 10, 2004

Dear Sir,

I have just returned to Bermuda after a lengthy trip abroad and have been reading the back issues of the local newspapers. There are a number of references in them to ways of obtaining feedback from Bermudians as to what is the best way to gauge their views concerning any future moves towards independence for our Island.

The Government appears to support a General Election to decide the issue, while the Opposition wishes to have it determined by a referendum. Referenda are held in many countries to decide major policy matters and I can see no reason why Bermuda should not follow the general world trend and hold a referendum on whether the majority of the local electorate wish to have one to decide our country's future.

However, I think that after a referendum is held and, if the majority say yes to Independence, the matter should then be debated in the House of Assembly. This should come after a General Election, and if there is a vote of two thirds of the Members of the House of favour of independence the matter would be pursued further.

I think that it is essential that both the electorate, by a referendum, and the Parliament of Bermuda, by a two-thirds majority, finally decide the Island's political future. It is no use having endless meetings of notes, letters to the Editor and advertisements in the local mess media, trying to convince the electorate that independence is good or bad for our country.

To summarise: first, what is needed is a clear cut decision on the issue of independence by a referendum followed by a majority for or against independence in the House of Assembly ? if the referendum is in favour of independence. To let the question of Independence drag on will continue to cause uncertainty and therefore unease in the minds of the electorate and of international businesses in Bermuda.

This will in turns undermine the stability of Bermuda with disastrous results for all our people whatever their political persuasion. Let us have no more 'whether the fates may blow us' ? but let us have commonsense and consensus guide us!

John Gilbert is a former Clerk to the Legislature.

Police only doing their jobs

November 20, 2004

Dear Sir,

What is going on here? One minute you hear that the Police aren't doing their jobs and the next minute you hear people complaining about them doing their jobs. What do we want? Personally, I think that they should be commended. I think it's absolutely grand that they are doing vehicle checks.

Why all the protest? Is it because it's in the early morning rush hour? You know what they say, "the early bird catches the worm". I think that this exercise that our Bermuda Police Service is doing should be conducted more often, whether it be morning, noon or night.

Why should so many of us be law-abiding citizens and pay our car licences and insurances or pay our fines or wear our seat belts etc. and the others be able to get away with it.

I bet that I can almost guarantee that the protests are coming from the people that are breaking the law or the ones that should have left home in an adequate amount of time to allow for any difficulties that many occur on the way to work. Stop complaining, Bermuda and just let them do their jobs. We all have jobs to perform and just as we are performing ours they to our performing theirs.

Sometimes I think that the only time we as citizens see the Police are times when they are conducting exercises such as these but what about the things that we don't see, like them saving a life, consoling a family member that has just lost a loved one or maybe just holding the hand of someone that is lying on the road waiting for the ambulance to arrive and I expect that these are just to name a few.

I am sure that sometimes they feel that their jobs are a thankless one but they are always the first ones we call when we need help!. Maybe the next time you see a Police Officer you should ask if it would be O.K. to shake his or her hand and say: "Thanks".

Mistakes before PLP

November 15, 2004

Dear Sir,

In the Mid-Ocean News, Mr. Barritt refers to "screw-ups" being rectified by simple changes to the Parliamentary system. Mr. Barritt, you are definitely relying on the fact that Bermudians are very willing to forgive and forget the past.

There were some major "screw-ups" before the PLP's reign:

The National Stadium

The New Prison Complex "Westgate"

The Airport overspending

The millions of dollars during the takeover by the PLP ? unaccounted for by the UBP.

The hiring of a writer for Sir John.

It's too painful to continue. The public purse has been so misused by the UBP also.

You are perfectly correct: "If we don't put in place a system, my fear is that this kind of stuff will continue to occur, and will continue to slip by". You must end that statement with "especially since the UBP did not put it in place previously and if they should ever regain power, reforms are needed so I do hope the PLP ensures that this is done and heeds to (your) valuable input".

I took a good look at "The New Berkeley Institute" and for a small firm and Bermudian at that, Pro-Active needs to be recognised for a job well-done. Congratulations. There should be more folk in your corner.