Bungled investigationJuly 5, 2006Dear Sir,Who ran the detective department responsible for the investigation of the murder of Rebecca Middleton — Inspector Clouseau?

JIM REITH

Toronto, Ontario

It won’t go awayJuly 4, 2006Dear Sir,I have been reading the articles about Rebecca Middleton you have had in your paper over the last few days, and it just brings tears to my eyes. I especially feel really terrible about some of the callous comments that have been attributed to people who should know better.

Any Bermudian who thinks that this doesn’t affect them, or just wants it to go away, is plain and simply a fool. We have a murderer or murderers walking around Bermuda. What is to stop them from doing it again?

I have a 16-year-old daughter. What is to stop my daughter from being a victim? Or anyone’s daughter, or niece or granddaughter? What is to stop Dame Lois’ granddaughter or niece or even her for that matter from being a victim? I can’t understand the logic of her comments (if she did indeed say them).

Until someone is actually held accountable and put under lock and key where they belong, every female in Bermuda is in danger of being raped, sodomised, tortured and murdered ... just like poor Becky.

LOOKING OVER MY SHOULDER

Hamilton Parish<$>

Don’t give upJuly 4, 2006Dear Sir,Thank you for your coverage of the ten-year anniversary of the brutal slaying of Rebecca Middleton whose name will ring in our ears for many years to come.

Thank you for reminding us that we have not convicted any murderers in this case. These murderers still walk among us. Those two rapists still live among us. Those two torturers are still breathing — but not Becky. Her life is gone and her family will grieve her loss forever. What a crying shame that we have not convicted anyone. I feel ashamed that we have let this terrible act go unpunished. It’s very difficult to even read the story, it brings tears to my eyes.

Each and every crime that has been committed and is unsolved, should be printed in the news media with each anniversary so that it reminds all of us how incapable Bermuda really is. We need to talk to our Government representatives when they come to call, and ask them what they intend to do about situations like this. After all, aren’t they being paid to protect our children and us?

Tourists need to know that our island is not safe. There are so many people stealing from visitors and residents alike to get their fix for the day, it almost makes one feel that we should give them their drugs to avoid all of this.

To Mr. and Mrs. Middleton, I am so sorry this happened to your daughter. I cannot imagine what you and your family have been through. I hope and pray that one day soon we can say that justice has been served, until then don’t give up. Keep fighting for Becky.

M. DUBOIS

Pembroke

Irresponsible statementJune 30, 2006Dear Sir,I find it both sad and surprising that Bank of Bermuda CEO Phil Butterfield would trespass into the political arena when he spoke during the recent handover of the old Berkeley School.

It is certainly a memorable occasion for all Berkeleyites to witness the retirement of the old school and the opening of the new school, but when Mr. Butterfield says,”who cares how much the new school costs?” I feel his emotions have over-run his common sense. Accountability for spending others (read taxpayers) money is critical in any economy and business, and I have to wonder whether Mr. Butterfield would still have a job if he produced a project for HSBC with such huge over-runs.

The extra costs of $50 million, and we are still counting, for building the new Berkeley cannot and should not be dismissed or made trivial by those in positions of trust and power in our community, such as shown by Mr. Butterfield, because the pain of paying for this over-run will fall squarely on the shoulders of Bermuda taxpayers, many of whom are already under a great deal of financial strain and not of the economic means of persons in high places and CEO positions.

The statements made by Mr. Butterfield contradict the decency of responsible project management and financial accountability. I sure hope he isn’t operating the Bank of Bermuda with the same cavalier approach to spending as shown at Berkeley otherwise HSBC shareholders should be very concerned. If Mr. Butterfield is planning to run for public office he should first resign his role as CEO of one of Bermuda’s largest institutions rather than use that position as a platform for his politics.

ALLAN D. MARSHALL JP

Smith’s Parish

I care about the costJune 29, 2006Dear Sir,It is with great interest that I read the article about the ceremony at Berkeley. What I found very interesting were the comments made by the CEO of a certain bank.

I agree that when it comes to education, we should exhaust our resources to make sure that our children get a good solid education, on the other hand to make the statement (who cares what it cost) referring to the $50 million over budget cost and the two years past completion date, being said by the chief of the largest bank in Bermuda makes me wonder if the bank had financed that project. Would he have said what he said? I am sure there are many of us blue collar workers that work hard for a living, trying to make ends meet, that cares about what capital projects cost, because when it comes to paying taxes, we feel it more than you executives.

BLUE COLLAR WORKER

Paget

<$>Slow down, BermudaJuly 3, 2006Dear Sir,Why do people drive so fast? Why do people have to overtake? Has everyone forgotten that the maximum legal speed limit on Bermuda roads at all times is 35 kph (unless otherwise specified). Or are we just all in a rush that is doesn’t matter anymore or we just don’t care?

I would like to ask the car driver going east this past Sunday afternoon who felt the need to overtake other cars on the Causeway, why was that so necessary? Did you manage to shave five minutes off your driving time? Did you get one or two car lengths ahead, did you succeed? I’ll tell you what you were almost successful at, having my sister and I who were travelling west on my bike as your hood ornaments on your vehicle!

Bermuda roads are for everyone to share, which includes pedestrians, equestrian riders, pedal bikers, bikers and car drivers alike. We all have to start realising that driving is a privilege not a right. I am appealing to Government to create awareness and establish a mindset among new and experienced licence holders that speed kills!

ALISON

Smith’s Parish

<$>Misleading statementsJune 29, 2006Dear Sir,I recently heard the Premier quoted as saying that Bermuda would only truly become a democracy when we achieve Independence. It is my view that this is both wrong and misleading to the public.

Yesterday I heard that the Government is seeking to prohibit the Senate from voting on the proposed salary increases for Ministers and leading politicians. If ever there was a blow to the notion of democracy in Bermuda this is it. Mr. Premier how do you reconcile these two positions?

It is actions like this, together with the Premier’s suggestions that the Auditor General’s position would be reviewed should we become independent, and the flagrant racism publicly demonstrated by some Ministers in our current government that lead me to question whether our Government can be entrusted with the future of an independent Bermuda.

Thank goodness Bermudians are largely too smart to be misled by mischievous manipulation intended to persuade Bermuda to choose independence. I was particularly heartened by the clarity in thinking demonstrated by a number of Bermuda College students who, when asked, replied in essence that young people had not been shown any good reason for Bermuda to seek independence.

Unfortunately as we near an election and our government realises it has to face the fact that Bermudians recognise that independence is not in the country’s interest, I sense that race will be used to stir up emotion and support for a government’s misguided policies. Should this occur, hopefully all Bermudians will see these tactics for what they are.

In closing I would like to make a plea for all Bermudians to recognise the importance of their current entitlement to a British and therefore European passport. While my family and many other have always been entitled to a British/European passport by heredity it is perhaps the most needy who will benefit most from this almost unique entitlement.

For all Bermudians, particularly our young Bermudians, to be able to live and work without restrictions in any country of the European Union is a tremendous opportunity for employment, experience, personal growth and adventure. Suggestions from the PLP spokesmen that the Bermuda passport will be widely accepted rather miss the point. The difference between being able to visit a country versus live and work there should not be discounted.

NICHOLAS R. WEARE

Pembroke

What democracy?June 26, 2006Dear Sir,Premier Scott reportedly said (June 26): “I want this place to be a democracy and it can’t be while we are a dependent territory, It can’t be until we take one flag down and put another up.” Please note the ‘I want...’.

Well, Mr. Premier, I thought Bermuda was a democracy and, perhaps it would be helpful if you knew that we can be a democracy and a dependent territory all at the same time. But I can see that it can’t be a democracy if you turn it into an autocracy.

It can’t be a democracy, Mr. Premier, if you continue to ignore the electorate — if you carry on conducting the country’s business behind closed doors - if you are not accountable to the people — if you are not fiscally responsible — if you have no idea, or don’t care, that an independent Auditor General and an independent Judiciary are the cornerstones of democracy — if you don’t understand the phrases, ‘collective responsibility’ and ‘conflict of interest’ — if you think ‘flag’ and ‘democracy’ are synonymous.

If you, as the Premier of the country, don’t understand this, then, yes, our democracy is indeed in danger.

POPULIST IN PAGET

<$>Turn down the volumeJune 29, 2006Dear Sir,I went to Hawkins Island on Wednesday night and although the food was pretty good and the kind of music was all right, I really must tell you that it was way too loud. I couldn’t get away from it at all and I would not be surprised if some people suffer from partial deafness as a result of being on that island!

I spoke with a few other people including members of staff who agreed with me that the music was too loud and that people complain a lot but that Mr. Tony Brannon refuses to turn it down. What is the point of having it so loud?

It’s a barbecue where people want to socialise in addition to dance. I hope Mr. Brannon will turn it down and stop deafening our tourists.

A CONCERNED 28 YEAR OLD

Smith’s