Top fireman clarifies story

August 26, 2005

Dear Sir,

I would like to draw your attention to the Monday, August 8, 2005 edition of and a story written by Stuart Roberts entitled ?Research key for firefighters?. On Friday, August 5, 2005 Mr. Roberts interviewed the Fire Service?s spokesperson seeking additional information about what we in the Fire Service refer to as ?Pre-Fire Plans?.

As a result of that story, some local business have contacted the Fire Service asking us to clarify what we meant by ?Potential Hot Spots?. These three words penned by Mr. Roberts ? the Fire Service ? has generated a flurry of safety concerns and drawn sharp criticism from property owners, particularly those that were mentioned as ?potential hot spots?.

The Fire Service is of the view that the Belco fire of July 14, 2005 has understandably generated considerable interest in fire protection and fire prevention strategies that are employed in Bermuda. Unfortunately, this story did not capture the message that was intended for your readers; instead it caused unnecessary confusion and anxiety to the property owners who read this story.

Clearly it was not the point of the Bermuda Fire Service to single out properties considered to pose as a high fire risk. The intent was simply to inform your readers that the Bermuda Fire Service like many other professional fire services around the world, have developed pre-fire plans for a number of properties throughout the island to assist firefighters, building owners and occupants in the event of fire.

In fact, many of the pre-fire plans that have been developed were at the request of the property owners themselves. Additionally, most property owners request that we provide them with Commercial Fire Safety Training such as basic fire extinguisher handling and evacuation procedure training. It should be noted that two of the properties mentioned as ?potential hot spots? have been proactive and requested the Service to conduct fire safety training for staff and develop pre-fire plans. We applaud these businesses and property owners who have demonstrated their organisations commitment to fire safety.

The Bermuda Fire Service recognises that the buildings listed in your story are of extreme value to the continued stability of this community and if destroyed by fire will have no direct replacement. This was the essence of the story and somehow the reporter created an oblique message from this.

In closing, the Fire Service expresses regret for any person or business that may have been confused by this story and we hope that this explanation has set the record straight. Should there be any further questions that may arise please do not hesitate to contact Fire Service Headquarters at 292-5555 ext. 233.

A warning about ciguatera

September 31, 2005

Dear Sir,

My husband has been confirmed as having ciguatera poisoning. He received a gift of some nice, fresh (frozen), local fillets from a friend. He prepared one to eat with fries, just before Cup Match. He became ill very shortly thereafter. We saw the doctor, who diagnosed salmonella.

The following week, my husband had some really strange symptoms ? severe itching, metallic taste, hot/cold temperature perception reversal, and loss of energy. A further visit to both our family physician and a consultant confirmed a diagnosis of the (much more serious) ciguatera poisoning.

A quick search of the internet yields the following two sites:

www.whoi.edu/redtide/illness/ciguatera_fish_poisoning

www.rehablink.com/ciguatera/poison.htm

The symptoms hang around for three to six months, and ?once infected?, does not mean ?forever free?; immunity is not given. There is no test a patient can take, and no medicine which can be given! Fish to be avoided are snapper, grouper, amberjack and barracuda. The poison is not affected by either cooking or freezing.

Once a patient has been determined to have ciguatera poisoning, he/she must avoid fish (of all types), nuts, caffeine and alcohol, for a period of at least three months. Apparently, these foods aggravate and encourage the recurrence/resurrection of symptoms. Fortunately, fatality is (almost) non-existent. I write this letter, in the hope that others will be spared the (prolonged) discomfort and irritations of this disease. Thank you for the space, and time.

Throwing the election

September 6, 2005

Dear Sir,

I feel compelled to add one more task, to the current Government?s list to throw the next election as outlined in Limey in Bermuda?s column. Remind the PLP to call off Research Innovation?s Walton Brown (Ewart?s cousin and avowed Pro-Independence supporter) from his next ?scientific poll?.

Otherwise they may erroneously be returned to power. My guess is that the poll will coincide with the Government?s announcement of the findings of the Bermuda Independence Commission. Headlines of this poll will scream that 117 percent of black Bermudians now support Independence without a referendum and a mere 99.7 percent of white Bermudians feel the same way.

The three percent anti votes were from Larry Dennis and Jim Butterfield last weeks attempted victims of the so-called transparent PLP Government.

Think of the less fortunate

August 25, 2005

Dear Sir,

Even though I am non-committal when it comes on to the two political parties, I would just like to voice my opinion about the housing situation namely the new manufactured homes that (Housing Minister) Mr. (Ashfield) DeVent is planning on putting up. There are several people who have this ?not in my back yard? mentally. Looking at the housing crisis in Bermuda where you have people sleeping in cars, tents, parks, and beaches, which looks more slum-ish?

I cannot have that ?not in my back yard? mentally because I, myself is living in a very small studio with my husband, 14-year-old son and five-month-old daughter and believe me, life has never been more stressful and trying to find an apartment that I can afford is next to impossible.

You will find that most of those people who say ?not in my back yard?, and the people who do not know what it is like to live in a crammed, one room place where their fourteen year old has a hard time concentrating in school because of the living situation, are the people who do not have to sleep in cars, tents, etc., but in fact live in their posh houses where everything is nice and dandy.

In closing I would like to say, all of you with the ?not in my back yard? mentally, at least try to put yourselves in the position of the people who are not so fortunate as you are. Mr. Devent , my hats off to you. Bear in mind that you cannot please everyone. Three cheers.

Waiting and wondering

September 6, 2005

Dear Sir,

Since HSBC took over the Bank of Bermuda, a deposit that used to take one day to register now takes five. As it was a holiday on Monday it will, I?ve been told, take six. Ridiculous. Pathetic I?d say. As for the service, well I had three tunes to listen to, and then a phone rang for 59 seconds (timed). Still, I?m sure we will see better when it gets outsourced to India.