Union must be more vocal

December 16, 2007

Dear Sir,

Since the election will be in a few days I personally would encourage the successful party to initiate an in depth discussion on our overheated economy. This topic in my opinion is of far greater importance than the "Big Conversation" in that it affects all Bermudians and IB, through increased pressure on rent, traffic congestion, schooling, and general increases in inflation.

When one looks around Hamilton and sees the number of building cranes constructing new office buildings, and recognising that Government statistics states that all Bermudians who wish to work are presently employed, one then has to draw the conclusion that these new office buildings will only be occupied by newly imported employees, which will again increase the pressure on our above mentioned infrastructure.

Some time back I can recall that Government did not wish to solicit opinions from IB because it was stated that local policies were a Bermudian affair and had to be solved by Bermudians. In my way of thinking this was short sighted, because the IB which presently resides on the island experiences the same infrastructure pressures as Bermudians, and they (the residing IB) should be encouraged to contribute positive solutions going forward, because in the final analysis we are all in the same boat.

One suggestion that some friends and I have talked about is: – Government could initiate a policy of only allowing companies to set up business here equal to the number of companies leaving. This type of policy would be similar to a crowded club on a Friday evening when the doorman only allows patrons entering to equal the number of patrons leaving.

This legislation, if implemented for say some two or three years, would give our local population the confidence that Government had some handle on our overcrowding, and in turn would give us the needed breathing space to see our way forward.

One of the things that is surprising Mr. Editor is there has been very little if any comment from the Union's Chris Furbert or rank and file Union members regarding our overheated economy which directly affects the prices that the members have to pay for food, and rent etc. It's my opinion they (The Union) should be more vocal in putting forth positive solutions regarding our economy.

EDWARD FORBES

Paget

Capital G's campaign

December 9, 2007

Dear Sir,

Seemingly the whole island has been thoroughly inundated by the Capital G marketing campaign, save their own boat parade decorator.

GAPPY GOLIDAYS

Devonshire

I will not give up

December 19, 2007

Dear Sir,

I mourn for a Country that has been fooled again! But the people have spoken, at least enough of them that counts.

Dr. Brown asked that Wednesday we move forward together. I do not think you can expect the other "half" of the Country, roughly 15,000 voters to heartily lay down with, well let's not say what we think it is laying down with. But let me draw a comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah, and how in that time and age the majority were fooled to think that their way of functioning was "perfectly OK" in their own eyes. You have to ask what happened to them? Well in case some do not know or refuse to accept the fact but it was completely, 100 percent destroyed!

A lot of people will simply give up and move to other lands, if they are able. But I will not give up my birthright to live here. A new revolution has begun and possibly it is not under the UBP nor the ABC flag. It is not a conspiracy, nor within the realm of treason; as others have operated to get where they are today. But it will be in the heart. That battle has to take place first, then by the grace of God this island can be called Paradise again.

No, I for one, of the 15,000 plus "other side" will not lay down with the likes of our Government and endorse their behaviour. They are on their own! Let's see how far they can go – on their own merit. Give them a bit more rope and they will pull their own trap door from beneath themselves.

It might sound cruel, and spiteful, but not really, it is in disgust that the people of Bermuda got fooled again and do not realise what is truly ahead of them. All they have to do is look behind them. My one suggestion is that everyone start figuring out how to grow vegetables for themselves... say no more. Good luck, Bermuda.

NOT JUST ONE

Smith's

We will return

Dear Sir,

I am a former resident of Bermuda, having lived there for almost nine years. It has been a long time since I returned, and I find some huge changes, some good, some, well, not so good.

I was saddened to see the demise of Smith's and Triminghams! Generations have provided quality goods to the world, and in a flash, they are gone.

I was delighted to see that people are still friendly, say good morning, and generally are very welcoming. Using public transportation, which is good, was an eye opener. I loved the fact that the drivers insisted on good behaviour from students, and if they didn't act right, they got off the bus. We need more of that in the world.

I think what has happened at Dockyard is wonderful, and obviously there is more to come in that area. But, so far, so good.

One thing that bothered me was the amount of litter alongside the roads and on the Railway Trail. Bottles, cans, trash of all kinds, and most of it looked like it had been there for a while. Also, along Harbour Road. It seems to me that the prisoners languishing in jail could be put to work picking up.

Last, but not least, art. I am an old friend of the late Alfred Birdsey who to me was a pioneer for modern art in Bermuda. I spent a great deal of time in Alfred's studio when I lived on the island, and sometimes painted with him. When I visited the art gallery at City Hall, I was dismayed to see one painting done by him, and not a very good example of his work at that. The only way to get a look at his work was through his daughter who is almost impossible to get hold of.

Also, I looked for galleries along Front Street as well as other locations in Hamilton. Nothing, other than a gift shop with art by one woman whose work was on everything including tee shirts, mugs, etc. There are some visitors who would like to buy an original piece of art as a memento of their trip. Someone is missing the boat.

It seems that everything is located at Dockyard, which is fine, but not everyone will get out there, and front street is the center of activity where a gallery would be in the best spot.

There you have it. I love Bermuda, will come back again to experience the beauty, the hospitality, and to paint. In the real world, nothing is perfect, but Bermuda comes close.

RUTH MEADERS

Austin, Texas

Election reaction?

December 18, 2007

Dear Sir,

There are a lot of blind people in Bermuda.

ANTONY SIESE

City of Hamilton

Sending messages

December 19, 2007

Dear Sir,

With the final votes tallied and a PLP victory now in the books, two issues spring to mind.

The first is accountability. In casting our votes, we are afforded an opportunity either to endorse the existing Government on the basis of a job well done, or remove them should they fail to adequately address the issues facing our island.

This opportunity should never be taken lightly, for it is our only true means as a nation of holding Government to task for its actions or omissions over the course of a political term. Accountability therefore rests with us on election day, for we as the Bermuda electorate bear full responsibility for selecting a government best equipped to move us forward.

The second is legitimacy. In casting our votes, we should consider all viable alternatives. A failure to do so is foolhardy and shortsighted, for each party brings to the table both a platform and a selection of candidates offering differing perspectives and levels of experience.

Where there appears to be no viable alternative in the minds of the electorate, it should only be concluded that either our existing Government is performing at a satisfactory level, or there is no other legitimate option inspiring voter confidence.

It is interesting to consider these issues when reviewing our current Government's recent track record. We have many unresolved questions over BHC. There is the Berkeley debacle. Let us not forget about the state of Bermuda's housing, our sputtering tourism sector, or the Southlands farce. What of Government Ministers' lavish travel arrangements and spending?

In terms of our accountability for selecting effective governance, and the legitimacy of any alternatives, where does that leave us? Have we used our vote to endorse the current Government as demonstrating effective and efficient leadership? It can be argued that we have. Do we honestly believe that our current Government is one of integrity and strength of conscience? It can be argued that we do.

Yet, was it our intention as Bermudians on Tuesday to convey that message? Or was our message instead that we believe the United Bermuda Party to offer nothing better?

Perhaps we need two 'Big Conversations' as we move into 2008.

RUPRECT VON OPALFRUIT