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October 8, 2004

Dear Sir,

Once again I find myself writing on this subject, today in response to Dee Charles? comments in . It is morally reprehensible that she threatens to put her horses down should she and other carriage operators be further regulated by Government. If Mrs. Charles will so hastily resort to taking her horses as political hostages, then why should we believe that she has any interest in the well-being of them at all?

It is exactly this attitude ? that animals are only of value as long as they are producing something tangible for humans ? that has endangered the horses in the first place. There are many options not involving slaughter that would allow these animals to spend the rest of their lives in peace after working for Mrs. Charles.

In response to a previous letter I wrote, Mrs. Charles stated that, ?it is not just tourists that hire horse and carriages but Bermudians that love the old traditional slow pace way of life that hire us for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays graduations and christenings.? Today Mrs. Charles is quoted in as saying that 99 percent of her business comes from cruise ship tourists. So which is it?

How can the public and government work towards a solution with the operators when you are being so deceptive? Mrs. Charles? customers are correct that riding at night in the carriages is dangerous for both the horses, her passengers, and for other motorists, yet I commonly see carriage operators driving at night. It is also dangerous during the day. More proof that the well-being of the animals is far from the operators? collective conscience.

Mrs. Charles is further quoted as saying that there is nothing that can be done about manure on the roads. There is something that can be done. Clean it up! It?s your mess for which you are responsible. Finally, in response to Mrs. Charles? concern that she will be required to find new employment should the industry be further regulated, I once again suggest she develop a rickshaw business. Tourists all over the globe use rickshaws as a clean, responsible way to see the places they visit. In addition to being cleaner and smaller on the road, a rickshaw runner, unlike a horse, has the choice to decide whether they wish to work or not.

Remembering a colleague

October 4, 2004

Dear Sir,

The passing of Mr. Shirley Jackson prompted me to write. To me he was one of Bermuda?s great people. I had the opportunity to get acquainted with him during the early ?70?s when I replaced Mr. Erskine Adderley who built Argus Insurance Building and had requested of me to replace him on the governing body of the great Berkeley Institute. There were five of us and Mr. Jackson served as secretary. The governors were a UBP majority and Mr. Adderley had waited 18 months for my affirmation answer.

I remember he was proud of me since I had worked in his business upon leaving Berkeley. Mr. Jackson, I observed, was astute and displayed dignified efficiency, the hallmark of the Jackson clan. Upon his retirement we were proud to sponsor a retirement luncheon in his honour for his 42 years service. The body when I joined composed of the Hon. Dr. James, chairman, the Hon. Jim Woolridge, the late Mr. Norwood Smith and Mrs. Jean Raynor.

In his farewell speech (news to those my age and younger) he stated that he was working at the Hamilton Press as assistant manager to the founder the Hon. R.C. Crawford who asked him to act as secretary to the governors voluntarily and he consented. We all were serving voluntarily. The press was situated on Front Street East at the time. Mr. Crawford was an MCP and chairman of the governors during the early thirties. He was the grandfather of Dr. James King Chairman of Argus Insurance, Butterfield?s Bank and BTC.

Mr. Jackson said that Crawford put the Berkeley Institute Act through parliament which enabled the school to obtain an annual subsidy in the same way that Warwick Academy, Whitney and Saltus Grammar schools had been receiving over many years. Mr. Crawford also served the Legislative Council. I am glad that the late Mr. Jackson was honoured by receiving the Queens Certificate and Badge of Honour for all his volunteer services to the country ? leadership in Boy Scouts for instance.

On another subject: Even before Mr. Dave Barber contributed the new air ambulance and assisted the BTFA , I was of the opinion that he should be knighted for all his philanthrophy to Bermuda. I don?t say that because he patronised my work shop, simply because he is vigilant of our needs to a great extent.

A shocking experience

October 12, 2004

Dear Sir,

On Saturday, October 9, 2004 I had picked up my granddaughter from tap class and took her to her mother?s salon on Dundonald Street. Then my son wanted to stop by Dub City records. I parked across from Dub City and sat in the car as it was raining heavily. After about five minutes he attempted to get out but closed the door, as it was still a heavy downpour. After a few more minutes and as fast as I started to say ?don?t bother, let?s go?, a bolt of lightning engulfed my three-week-old Nissan Marsh after striking the pole we were parked under.

A flash of pale blue light covered my windshield while sparks covered the whole car, I screamed in horror but knew not to get out of the car. Once it was over we got out and ran across the street. People from the salon were saying how lucky we were. I thank God, as it could have been worse. After inspecting the car, I have melted metal embedded in my windshields and bits on the side windows but my electricals seem to be fine. I have been in contact with Belco and HWP. Still a bit shaky but I feel truly blessed that we were not harmed, just had to share this with you as I would not wish this experience on anyone. Thanks.

What?s in a name?

October 6, 2004

Dear Sir,

Health Minister Patrice Minors has suggested re-naming the St. Brendan?s psychiatric hospital. May I be the first to suggest ?The Cabinet Office?. There is more than enough paranoia, delusion and learning disability in the latter to justify linking, if not consolidating, the two.

Thanks from The Caymans

October 13, 2004

Dear Sir,

As a Bermudian who has lived in the Cayman Islands for the past 12 years, I was extremely proud of my home country today when visiting with the Bermuda Regiment who are stationed at the George Hicks High School. Bermuda, and all Bermudians should be proud of the fact that they have helped another island that is in desperate need of assistance. When I say that the soldiers and officers have gone ?above and beyond? their comfort zone, I mean simply that.

They are here, in the heat, no air conditioning, no television, contending with flies in the day and the mosquitoes at night, living with the barest of necessities, all to help another island; and by default a community. I have never been prouder of the fact that I am a Bermudian and I personally want to thank Bermuda and the families of these men for sending the Bermuda Regiment to us to help the Cayman Islands, in this our time of need.

In praise of worker

October 14, 2004

Dear Sir,

This letter was sent to the Corporation of Hamilton and copied to

I would be remiss if I did not take the time to acknowledge one of your stellar members of staff. As discussed earlier this summer with Mrs. Carol Wills, I have had to use the handicap accessible facilities at the Number One Shed for several months as a new wheelchair facility is being designed in my office building. I used to cringe at the thought of using a public bathroom until I used the facilities maintained by Mrs. Edie Minors. Public bathrooms often conjure thoughts of filthy, smelly high traffic areas where people in desperate situations pause for relief. When I first used the facility, I began to think that on that first day, I must have been lucky.

But then after several weeks of the same high standard of cleanliness, I realised that this could only be attributed to the dedicated care of one individual, Mrs. Minors. Not only does the bathroom smell clean (because fragrances are often used to mask odours), the bathroom looks clean. She ensures that the counters are clean and dry, reports on damaged seats and informs maintenance of plumbing problems. Of course these are things that she is supposed to do; however, Mrs. Minors does this in a friendly, thoughtful manner.

In fact, Mrs. Minors is known for leaving a bouquet of chrysanthemums on the counter which certainly lifts the d?cor and aesthetics of this public facility. I respect Mrs. Minors for the extra care that she provides in maintaining the Number One Shed bathroom and hope that you might share this letter with your colleagues, and Mrs. Minor?s supervisors as I think that she is worthy of admiration and praise.

Gazette gets taken to task

October 7, 2004

Dear Sir,

I note that your newspaper continually advertises office equipment and supplies in your business service directory at your own ?stationary store?! Hint: ?E? in Envelopes! Also, when will most of your reporters learn the difference between ?its? and ?it?s?? This is grade five stuff.

Don?t blame taxi drivers

October 13, 2004

Dear Sir,

I think it?s a bit unfair for (Tourism and Transport Minister) Dr. (Ewart) Brown to automatically blame the taxi drivers for the bad organisation regarding transport for the Music Festival. They cannot be expected to perform to the best of their ability if they:

1. don?t have adequate information about timing;or

2. don?t have adequate access to the event.

How does he even know what really happened as by all accounts he doesn?t communicate with them?