Bermudians can't drive

December 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

Occam's Razor states "one should not increase, beyond what is necessary, the number of entities required to explain anything". I have applied this mediaeval philosophy to a rather large and persistent problem on your island which has been bothering me for some time now – why do you have such an enormous number of Road Traffic Accidents per head of population, per annum, when your speed limit is only 22 miles per hour?

Occam's Razor concludes a simple truth — Bermudians cannot drive. In fact you are generally quite appalling at it. I have been visiting your island regularly for the last six years and have nearly been killed on your roads on numerous occasions – the most memorable examples being a bus coming around the corner of Harrington Sound on the wrong side of the road at speed, once by a young man in a brown car who thought it would be a marvellous idea to overtake an elderly couple in their car on a blind bend, and place himself in a head-on collision with our car (only braking and swerving by the driver in our car avoided impact) and finally, and most spectacularly, by a driver pulling out of the roundabout the wrong way because he couldn't be bothered to drive all the way round it.

Indeed in this incident, we were given the 'finger' for daring to appear shocked!

But it's not your fault that you're not taught to drive properly, that your driving test is wholly inadequate, or that your police officers set the horrendous example of constantly speeding around the island for no emergency reason – (or rather the emergency being to get to KFC, something I have actually witnessed myself).

It doesn't help that drink/drivers and dangerous drivers are treated leniently by the courts when harsh precedents could be set, sending out a severe warning to others. It doesn't help that irresponsible 16 year olds are allowed to flirt around on bikes (often at three times the speed limit). It doesn't help that you do not have any permanent speed cameras on the island (God forbid your Government would finally do something sensible to deal with the problem).

In fact it doesn't help that your speed limit is only 22 miles an hour as this means none of you can handle a vehicle at speed, resulting in slow reaction times.

Other 'driving skills' witnessed – driving at night with headlights off (a favourite among bikes), getting half way through a left or right hand turn and stopping with the back end of the car out into the road, presumably so that the driver can recover from the exhaustion of having to turn the steering wheel more than 90°, and the most popular practise – overtaking when not legally allowed to.

Oh and as a last small observation, the little orange things on either side of vehicles are called 'indicators'. They are there, funnily enough, to indicate to other drivers where you are going, thus enabling the other drivers to judge speed and stopping distance. If cars didn't need them, they wouldn't have them.

Think of all the people you know that have been killed on the roads of your country. Could safer driving have stopped the accident from ever happening?

ANNA STEVENSON

Kent, England

Represent everybody

December 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

I was disappointed, although not surprised, to hear the Premier's comments during the BBC interview. Clearly the Premier believes his job is to represent those people that voted for him and his party not those that oppose him.

The Premier is, in fact, the leader of the Government of Bermuda and all her people, not just the leader of the PLP and its members. The sooner Dr. Brown accepts this responsibility the sooner calm can be restored to our divided Island community.

ROBIN HAMILL

Flatts

We have faith in PLP

December 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

A few months back, Deputy Opposition Leader Patricia Gordon Pamplin made a statement as to whether Premier Brown thought Bermudians were stupid. And she thought that the PLP would not win the election because of some of the governments policies.

Well guess what, Mrs. Pamplin, no we are not stupid and we have more faith in the PLP government than you and your party. Your poor old leader Mr. Dunkley had the nerve to complain because Mr. Brown helped Patrice Minors kick his butt. That's what a leader is supposed to do – help the people behind him or her.

I believe if Dr. Brown had given a little more assistance to three other candidates, the result would have been 25 to 11 instead of 22 to 14. Namely Mr. Foggo, Mr. Perinchief and Mr. Tyrrell. Those three seats were only decided by 67 votes. Mr. Bob Richards almost lost Mr. Dunkley's supposed safe seat. After all, Mr. Richards lost two successive elections in his very own neighbourhood. Be careful how you pick your candidates in five years.

I also think that you and the UBP party still believe in Santa Claus. During the run up to the election, when the polls where coming out and Walton Browns poll called the election just about how eventually came out. You called it nothing more then PLP electioneering. Now that's stupid, Mrs. Pamplin.

LESLIE JAMES SMITH

Sandys

For the young at heart

December 21, 2007

Dear Sir,

This is a reply to "Concerned Resident" who wrote recently to complain about the Hallowe'en party that has taken place at Fort Hamilton for the last few years.

One of their comments is that Hallowe'en is for children. Volcanic Productions, the organisation that puts this event on, has two evenings before the party that are dedicated to children who put on their costumes and go up for a haunted house/moat tour, fun and games, and free candy.

A significant amount of money is raised for charity every year. But Hallowe'en is also for the young at heart, and anyone who wants to should be able to dress up for the night and join in the fun.

Now about people parking where they shouldn't, and leaving litter around the area, this is certainly a shame but it is not unique to this event. There are concerts and parties at venues all around the Island year round.

All I can say is every time I've been to the Hallowe'en party a police officer is standing at the entrance directing cars to the appropriate places to park, and people should always think twice before walking out of any venue with an open container.

LONG LIVE FRIGHT NIGHT

Smith's

We are divided decisively

December 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

Could you please tell me what happened here? We've had a general election with possibly the worst mud-slinging campaign I have ever experienced in my life, and the result being that the PLP remained in Government, but I have lost friendships in the process. I have friends in all walks of life, and suddenly I became nervous around them, wondering if what I was saying was offensive. This had never happened before. Could that be because I'm white? Dr. Brown, whose mother was a UBP parliamentarian, has managed to divide our people so decisively, that unification seems a very long reach. I wish that all the self-serving candidates for the PLP would consider the future of their children, and how their future fits into this Island before they think that lining their pockets is the be all and end all. Hey, we have only 21 square miles! I love this place!

JOAN SKINNER

Smith's

P.s. I do not belong to any political party.

The day may come...

December 21, 2007

Dear Sir,

I write in response to Peggy Cooper's letter of December 14, 2007. I am intrigued that she concludes her letter by enquiring as to where I stand on the issue of Independence now.

I would have thought that most Bermudians are aware of my stance on independence, having regard to the position I adopted in 1994 and 1995, and more recently as a result of my lecture to the Bermuda Bar on the question of independence and nationality. With your kind indulgence that article was published in The Royal Gazette. I am also today sending a personal letter to Mrs. Cooper enclosing a copy of my full lecture.

It is clear from the contents of the lecture and the article that in 1994 and 1995 I opposed independence on the basis that it was likely that in the relatively near future all Bermudians would be afforded full British Nationality.

That came to pass by virtue of the provisions of the British Overseas Territories Act 2002. Now all Bermudians possess full British Nationality and are entitled to study, reside and work in the United Kingdom and throughout Europe. More recently the British Government has reduced the level of tuition for Bermudians to that paid by onshore British Nationals, significantly reducing the cost of further education for Bermudian students.

In the circumstances therefore I argued that if a move to Independence would result in Bermudians losing the British nationality and as a result their full entitlement to participate in the European Community, I would oppose Independence.

That still remains the case today and therefore I continue to oppose Independence. A day may come when the disadvantages of our current status outweigh the advantages. That day is not today, so I continue to oppose independence for Bermuda.

WENDELL HOLLIS

Devonshire

Raise children together

December 27, 2007

Dear Sir,

It's the end of 2007 and there has been a decline in the multiple successes of our school children. In the coming year, I as a Bermudian would like to see us implement a process that enhances the probability of success, utilising our churches, social clubs, and school buildings where required. Let's extend the educational process. There are some parents who end their work day hours after their children have been released from their respective schools.

This is an appeal for all parents who cannot be with their children as a result of work, please make arrangements with your nearby church, social club, or school that is prepared to be a part of the process.

"It takes a village to raise a child!" – Bermuda can revamp and nourish our community by initiating this attitude. No, I am not a part of the Ministry of Education officially, but I am a citizen of Bermuda offering a solution to our situation.

In respect to all social clubs, churches and schools participating, please ensure you can develop a security support structure to strengthen the safety harness to protect our young people. Manning nearby bus stops and roadways would create added appeal. There should always be two or three roaming adults on or around the premise.

This is not an appeal for any security firms to increase your coffers, however should you or any of your staff desire to be a part of this process – it would be appreciated. Yes, this all is voluntary to regenerate tomorrow's adult minds.

Our primary goal is to ensure all our children have a firm grasp and understanding of the basic math fundamentals, the vocabulary skill ladder reflecting memory strength, along with formulation training to relate a story in words – both orally and in writing.

Former and present educators, college graduates, students in high school and professionals are invited to assist in this endeavour. Anyone who has the ability to sow into our children's future should participate. Together we can all make a difference and we will see the result throughout the immediate three years on our horizon.

Parents, you must organise with the respective institution to coordinate pick-up time, communication numbers, along with any other practical instructions that you might deem needed.

This idea is not brand new, however there are a number of church bodies implementing this programme already, I would like to encourage other institutions to get on board.

JOHN HOLDIPP III

Pembroke

Do the right thing

December 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

I find alarming the announcement on Page 8 in The Royal Gazette of December 20, that the BLDC is seeking retroactive approval to store cruise berth equipment for a period of three years at Morgan's Point. Does this mean that the Southlands hotel will not now be relocated to Morgan's Point?

Before to the election, Mr. Alex Scott said that he worked hard within the PLP to have the location changed from Warwick to Morgan's Point when the residents in his constituency threatened not to vote for him. However, that decision has never been confirmed either by Dr. Brown or Cabinet. Are we to expect the switch to Morgan's Point to be a thing of the past now the election has taken place?

Have the residents in Mr. Scott's constituency been fooled and manipulated? Do we have to fight again to make sure the Southlands hotel is not built on virgin land? Come on Mr. Scott – do the right thing and explain to your constituents what is going on.

DOUBTING THOMAS

Southampton

Thoughtful and healing

December 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

Dear Premier Brown, congratulations on your 2008 Election win and thank you for your thoughtful and healing promotion of Thao Dill to the Senate. You are truly so wise.

RMB

Devonshire

Let the chips fall...

December 15, 2007

Dear Sir,

In a vicious slanderous attack, Larry Smith has imputed the integrity of Michael Dunkley. With the timing of this allegation, which I believe is "politically" motivated, I question the fairness of your newspaper's printing the story — on the front page. But, having said that, entrenched PLP supporters, will still continue to call your paper a tool of the "white" UBP. Having spoken with dozens of PLP supporters over the past week, the problem is that Michael Dunkley is now thought guilty of this "injust" allegation. Furthermore, they see a connection with the accusations of corruption with Dr. Ewart Brown and the Bermuda Housing Corporation and this allegation.

Mr. Editor, would Larry Smith's allegations having any more veracity or plausibility than if I were to accuse Dr. Brown of having an amorous relationship with a dead billy goat? Perhaps Larry Smith is simply an overzealous supporter of the PLP — much as the supporters of the UBP published those disgraceful pictures of Dr. Brown on the Internet. But, I would like to know what is going on in the Bermuda Housing Corporation, and I cannot accept the political Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police spending countless thousands to gag the press.

May I suggest that both leaders Dr. Ewart Brown and Michael Dunkley, make a pledge, that regardless of the outcome of this election, that the will submit themselves to a trial, in the court of public opinion, on these various allegations. Then let the chips fall where they may.

I deplore "party" politics and the consequence of entrenching race division, but this round will soon be over and a new Government will operate in the sunshine of public scrutiny, but only if we, the electorate, demand such — regardless of race.

SANDERS FRITH-BROWN

A note of thanks

December 18, 2007

Dear Sir,

On behalf of Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB), I would like to thank the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda (HAB) for its recent donation of $500,000.

This generous contribution is highly valued by BHB and was used to purchase equipment that supports the delivery of quality patient care. Purchases include ten dialysis machines, trauma stretchers for the emergency department, tubs for patients, a ventilator for the intensive care unit, camera equipment for the operating room, a microscope for the operating room and three sink workstations.

The HAB is our longest-serving and most generous donor. In addition, HAB volunteers log over 40,000 hours of service each year working at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute. These volunteers give their time to assist on the wards, the front desk, the pharmacy and in many other areas. Their efforts touch the lives of patients and their families and provide support to our staff.

Any of us who visit or need care from the hospitals benefit from the services of the HAB volunteers provide and the funds raised. Thank you, Mr. Editor for the opportunity to express our gratitude for HAB's ongoing commitment and generosity.

DAVID HILL,

Chief Executive Officer

Bermuda Hospitals Board