Swan & Saul on the mark

October 18, 2006

Dear Sir,

Hats off to Dr. David Saul and Sir John Swan for their fair comments regarding recent events surrounding John Deuss. They, at least, have understood that there is a fundamental difference between a request for questioning and a charge. Not everybody seems to understand this, lest certain bloggers in Bermuda who?s comments seem, to say the least, unintelligent, uninformed and biased.

More action, not statistics

October 11, 2006

Dear Sir,

We should hold the present government responsible for the high-crime rate. Here?s why ? the government should have transformed the so-called prison (Westgate, which is a hotel resort for felons) into a real prison and treated the prisoners like prisoners as opposed to ?guests?.

Make it so whereas a felon would never want to return to such harsh conditions. A complete make-over for the prison system. Invite the Los Angeles (LA) police chief ?Bill? William Bratton to the island to show our wimpy police chief how to deal with our high crime problem! We need real cops not ?rookies?. We don?t want the present police chief giving us statistics, give us action!

A tip to the Uptown Market, street festival let entertainment be the centre of attention, as opposed to Front Street?s vendors, have men dressed in colourful attire dancing on stilts. Invite a few New Orleans citizens to engage n a New Orleans style musical. The tourists will flock to ?C? Street for its fun and dance. Have part of the street for dancing couples. Have the tourist dance with Bermudians to show our love.

Have a huge sign saying: Welcome to uptown, welcome cruise ship passengers!? Don?t have the street festival on the same night Front Street has theirs ? it?s not wise. The uptown Market organisers need to talk to the cruise ship officials. The cruise ship officials discourage their passengers from visiting, what they consider dangerous areas ? or rather unsafe. So do your home work fellas!

SPCA says ?thank you?

October 12, 2006

Dear Sir,

Once again the Botanical Gardens proved to be the perfect venue for a day outdoors for people and their pets. Expo 2006 was a great success for the SPCA with its variety of animal awareness education, ring events, displays, activities and an opportunity to relax and chat with friends. Arriving at the Gardens early in the morning, thinking of all that needed doing before the 10 o?clock opening, a feeling of apprehension soon turned to elation and gratitude as I observed volunteers, staff and supporters busily preparing for the day. The dodgy looking sky did not seem to deter anyone; a sense of community prevailed and I knew then that it would be a good day.

This year, a menagerie of farm animals mesmerised the children, as did special visitors Peaches the parrot, Atticus the snake and Tiny the miniature horse, all appearing as part of educational segments under the Critter Chatter tent. A variety of ring events kept the crowd engaged as did the exotic cat show, animal organisation displays, games and numerous other items of intrigue such as the popular book and white elephant stalls, the bake stall and tattoo and face painting booths. People were even provided the opportunity to sign a petition in favour of preserving the Gardens.

A personal highlight during the day was in welcoming and meeting the children from the Sunshine League whom we had invited to the Expo. They were keen to experience all aspects of the fair and as one young girl put it, ?I really want to see the pig?, so off they went! As always, the SPCA parade at the end of the day was awesome with a record number of entries of people accompanied by their adopted pets. Even though prizes were awarded for dubious(!) categories, we proclaimed all of these owners and their animals as winners.

All in all, it was our intent to achieve a balance of education and fun on this day and we believe that we were successful. Those of us involved with the SPCA acknowledge and applaud those who helped make this event possible and we take this opportunity to say ?thank you? to each and every one of you. Our sincere thanks go to those who assisted by donating, collaborating, participating or by simply being there. Lastly, we extend our appreciation to the Parks Department and to the Ministry of the Environment for the loan of their beautiful grounds for the purpose of providing a day of community and animal awareness. We are grateful.

Good start to pursue race

October 20, 2006

Dear Sir,

In response to Dr. Hodgson?s Letter to the Editor in of October 10 describing the reaction of the predominantly white audience to the raising of the race issue at the recent Botanical Gardens Meeting. CURB believes the issue of racial make-up at public meetings is an important one as there have been many ?hot? issues this year spurring such gatherings.

The controversial issues that come to mind which attracted majority white public gatherings are ? lack of debate on the amendment to the human rights act to include sexual orientation, meetings following the beating of Rui Maderios, and most recently the hospital. Of note the Sustainable Development meetings and Independence discussions were fairly mixed.

It is important to begin to understand why some issues attract more white involvement than blacks, i.e. whatever the content of such issue-based discussions, we never seem to address directly why sometimes the audiences are majority white. There is often discussion among whites on the importance of attracting a diverse crowd ? but not on why the majorities of attendees are white.

It is not about ?attracting black interest? but about taking time to examine what Bermuda?s cultural norms and values are within different segments of our community. What do we share and where do we differ? Such dialogue would help build understanding across a divide which often descends into reactionary and very defensive attacks when such differences arise.

This is why CURB feels Dr. Hodgson?s letter is important ? it starts to break down the debate from whether the hospital is a white or a black issue, to looking at fundamental issues such as why we may value space differently. It is an important step in maturing our discussions about race from an abstract into the context of actual issues and actual problems to be solved which face the entire community.

Keeping safe on the roads

October 24, 2006

Dear Sir,

In response to ?Hilltop? (October 24, 2006) I would encourage this individual to 1. keep to the speed limit (or close to it), 2. Pay attention to traffic and where you are in it and 3. Limit your use of the ?third lane? (which is the only time that you should have to deal with that slippery centreline). These simple rules can keep you safe in any weather.

Note of thanks from LCCA

October 16, 2006

Dear Sir,

The Committee of Management of the Lady Cubitt Compassionate Association (LCCA) extend it thanks to the numerous members of the community who donated so generously to our Annual Tag day on September 22, 2006. Special thanks to our ?Taggers? ? the many volunteers from the service organisations, individuals, friends with a special mention to the students of Mount Saint Agnes Academy who helped throughout the day with the counting of the proceeds.

A total amount of $15,593.40 was collected from this event. these funds are utilised in our General Assistance programme for the benefit of the less fortunate members of the community, particularly the elderly and young children. The LCCA has continued to carry out the ideals and philosophy that was initiated by Lady Cubitt in 1932. Sincere thanks to everyone for their assistance.

Setting priorities

October 25, 2006

Dear Sir,

Alex Scott talked about a Royal Commission on the Belco fire. What about a Royal Commission on public education?

Hats off to Mr. Warner

October 17, 2006

Dear Sir,

As a born Bermudian I am appalled that someone can come to Bermuda and commit such a crime and they expect to be let off with just a fine. I refer to Mr. Pontieri and Donovan who callously broke Christopher Emanuel?s jaw. There seems to be a pervasive thing among many Americans that they can commit crimes in other countries and because they are American, get away with them. My hat is off to you Judge Warner. ?Good Job?. Oh, and don?t forget a few weeks ago. Remember? You can?t arrest me, I?m an American.