Fading Front Street

April 20, 2008

Dear Sir,

I've been coming to the beautiful island of Bermuda for over 25 years, staying in the same small guest house and loving every minute of my trips (even the not so good moments don't make me regret a trip or think of not continuing to return!).

One of the draws of coming to Bermuda, besides seeing the few good friends I now have on the island, and totally relaxing my body and mind, is the uniqueness of the island architecture, especially the wondrous colours of the homes and various establishments. Over the years I've seen the colours move from mostly pastels to even more enhanced and enchanting choices – a deep purple, blue or mustard, all of which perfectly offset the light blues, pinks and pale yellows.

My only disappointment lies in the direction the colours of Front Street are taking, which in the past has been, as a whole, an exquisite scene to gaze at as I look out over the harbour on my visits. Can it be so difficult to keep the colourful character of Front Street, even though the stores are falling by the wayside as office buildings continue to be constructed? I can't imagine, even if it's an office building, that it should be so problematic to paint those office buildings a blue or a yellow, instead of having so much BEIGE. Even the lovely pink of the Hamilton Princess is not enough to offset the otherwise bland look that is taking over.

Yes, I'll still keep coming, for Bermuda will always have my heart. But I'd hope that the developers of the office buildings in Hamilton will think about adding a bit of colour back to town, even if it means using a paint that will not fade too much over time, thus saving their having to paint their respective buildings more frequently. The bottom line is this: we as visitors, and I'm sure most of the locals would agree, that the vibrance of colour somehow makes the whole world seem a lot brighter – something all of us can certainly use!

VIKKI WACHTEL

Flushing, New York

Who won?

April 30, 2008

Dear Sir,

The "Ag Show" finished over a week ago but I have still not seen/heard the numbers of the winning raffle prizes. Each $8 adult ticket and $4 senior/child entry ticket was in part a raffle ticket and I understood that there were prizes of cycle(s) and four airline tickets. At the time of the Show persons were advised to hold onto their ticket (the raffle portion having been placed in the 'Orangina' container in the food court area) in case their number was a winning one. How much longer do people need to hold on to their ticket? When will winning numbers – and hopefully pictures of the lucky winners – appear?

To comment on this year's show, I was sorry to see entries down in many areas – terrariums, aquariums, woodworking, orchids etc. I am sure the reasons for the low entries in many areas were varied. Perhaps a survey could be sent out to schools, members of flower clubs, farming community etc. to try and ascertain the reason(s) for the low entries and to see what can be done to entice organisations/individuals to once again participate.

MERIANNA

Pembroke

Blackberry blues

April 29, 2008

Dear Sir,

On Thursday evening just before 7.45 p.m. I was driving west on South Road near Church Bay when car a GP car come up behind me. The car was being driven erratically, sometimes slowing down to a crawl then speeding up close to my car. At one point the GP car swerved over the centre line of the road then onto the grass verge.

When I stopped at the Barnes Corner junction I realised that the driver appeared to be using a Blackberry, holding the device in his left hand while operating it and holding the steering wheel with his right hand. I would like to think that telephone records can prove that I was mistaken. Surely the use of a Blackberry while driving is inappropriate during Road Safety Week or at any other time.

ANON MARINER

A card of thanks

April 30, 2008

Dear Sir,

Being Canadian of Haitian origin, my first impressions of Bermuda are strongly tinted by an imaginary reconstruction of the French Antilles, at the turn of the 20th century. Located in the historical Town of St. George's, I slowly discovered the charms and beauty of this island by strolling through the old narrow paved alleys edged with scents from rosemary bushes.

Being in a small agglomeration, it seems that most Saint Georgians know each other, white, blacks; Métis politely greet each other in the course of their daily activities, at the crossing of an alleyway. The physiognomies resemble those of mine, hence I am under the vague impression of encountering acquaintances and members of my family, and I respond with great easiness to their warm hearted hello's. St. George's, with its multicoloured houses of white roofs and adoquins paved alleys, reveals its splendour and serenity. The gentle marine breeze caresses coconut trees and rose gardens. Overwhelmed by so much aestheticism in contrast to the gray concrete urban setting I left behind a few days before, my mind in a nostalgic instant imagines life in a small provincial village of Haiti, a setting that might have existed at one point in history, but has presently vanished forever.

Cordiality and gentleness are contagious, and soon my mellow temperament slowly adapts to the chilled island rhythm where encounters with merchants, pedestrians, and local inhabitants happen in the most pleasant manners. In the first hours of settling in, I am greeted by neighbours, George, Fiona, Steve and Suzanne in the most hospitable ways. They are a treasure of generosity. In the days to come, I soon find myself weaving some affectionate ties with new found friends, among whom is Rochée, my model, who so gracefully accepted to pose for me during photography shooting sessions. Among these new interactions, in the most fortunate manner, Mr. Tom Butterfield of Masterworks Foundation, further to my inquiry about a past Bermudian university friend from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, puts me in contact with Betsy Mulderig, a visual artist and illustrator established in Bermuda. Rediscovering our personalities while reminiscing on souvenirs, we spent time slowly taming the new frontiers of our adult personalities and sharing new experiences after two decades of silence. It was an extraordinary and unexpected gift that destiny had reserved for both our enlightened spirits.

Creating in this dangerously suave context, without falling into apathy or being overly distracted by procrastinating, required some minimal planning.

Hence, once the opening date of the exhibition was established after a meeting with Kate Walters, the Masterworks Special Events Coordinator, I established a schedule based on certain objectives and goals I had predetermined. The creative process would favour two main axes of creation. The first series, respecting my artistic engagement towards environmental art, would therefore rely on found objects, debris; drift wood and collectable recycled items that I would collect during my daily wanders among the paths and beaches of Saint George's. The second body of works, oil and pastel studies, would be drawn from my photo sessions with Rochée. In order to create a linking element between these two bodies of work, I decided in the course of production to integrate some miniature cut out vignette photos of my model in the series of found objects.

Looking back at this three- month Residency sojourn and the experience of creating in a most serene and pleasant context, I found my mind being totally liberated from the daily pressures and obligations of an active urban centre like Montreal. As a result, I was predisposed to create in a much more relaxed and enriched manner.

I thank the Masterworks Foundation and staff for making this experience possible and I hope I will have the pleasure of coming back to an island where I have encountered a delightful and enlightening mode of existence.

MARIE-DENISE DOUYON

Artist in Residence

January — March 2008

Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art

Where we go wrong

April 28, 2008

Dear Sir,

In Monday, April 28's Royal Gazette Mr. Reginald Burrows wrote a piece on the political parties, and the subject of Independence. He said Independence should be the next stage of Bermuda's development, but he is at a loss to know why polls showed the public continually against it. He sounds like a very educated man, but majority rules in any case (unless there's unjust people involved). The community should affect any Governments final decision, and in this case it's what happened. He also stated that when you have Independence everything doesn't go bad. OK, if this is so, why does the negative affects of Independence out weigh the positive.

He also stated that he recently left Saint Kitt's, and he was very impressed with the progress Saint Kitt's has made in the last 15 years or so (Saint Christopher and Nevis went independent in 1983). This is where his educational background sits side ways, and his scientific calculator broke. Let's look at the figures at hand. It was 25 years ago that they went independent, and he has noticed progress over the last 15 years or so. Why doesn't he say any thing concerning the ten years of standing still or trial and errors the community experienced (logically speaking). This is where Bermuda goes wrong every time and maybe the reason why we don't have our own culture (in which has nothing to do with being Independent).

For too many decades we have been adapting to other nations cultures, and traditions (we label it as being multi cultured give me a brake). What's good for another country or state isn't always good for us, and until we realise this the conversation of Independence needs to be a thought (waiting for a more logical approach). You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. Did you ever think that it may not be thirsty?

Re: Hott 107.5. Being an avid listener of the station is like breathing a breath of fresh air within this polluted community. Majority of the topics brings unity within the community due to the message from the messengers. Even though many may agree to disagree with others perceptions the communication between different upbringings and beliefs are balanced out on the air. Ones economical level isn't noticed (unless they state their names), and it allows all man to be created equal. The countries devise should be attacked whole heartedly! The Government should not only listen to the broadcasted issues, but also act on the many logical suggestions from the community.

Don't allow you're PhDs or educational backgrounds cloud your duty in doing what's beneficial for the entire community. Time waits for no man even though man has manipulated time, and the telling of time for centuries. I can only imagine how daylight savings came into affect. Some Joe Blow woke up one morning, and decided that he will extend his days due to a power trip (wealth). The rich think of their wealth as a strong defence; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety (Proverbs 18-11).

In imagining that their wealth is their strongest defence, rich people are sadly mistaken. Money cannot provide safety, because there are too many ways for it to lose its power. The Government may cease to back it; thieves may steal it; inflation may rob it of all value. God never loses his power, and he is always dependable. Put God first, and man kind after should be the Governments motto.

DESAI M JONES

Sandys

Roadblocks work

April 29, 2008

Dear Sir,

This is an open letter to the Police, Wayne Caines, Premier Brown. I do not understand how Bermuda does not get it. You make videos on You Tube, set up panels and have No Drinking Days. This does not work, what works is road blocks to check for drinking drivers. If it's too difficult to figure out, because it seems to be, I will help you.

First you get six officers and four cars at three locations.

Location 1 is somewhere on Pitts Bay Road. Location 2 is somewhere in north Pembroke/North Shore Road. Location 3 is East Broadway.

Then you question every bike and car between the hours of 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. on a Friday and Saturday night. If you smell alcohol you make them take a sobriety test (this is done by getting them to walk a straight line and touch their nose with their head back or take a breath analyser.

Now here is the good part, if that person fails then you give them an automatic six-month suspension of their licence (you don't give them a court date). I guarantee that if you do this by the third weekend the taxi drivers will be the only way that people will be driving home from town.

DISBELIEF

City of Hamilton

A card of thanks

April 25, 2008

Dear Sir,

White Cane Tag Days were held on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15, 2008 to all who assisted in anyway a most heartfelt "thank you".

To employers who allowed their employees time off from regular duties, business owners/managers who allowed us to tag from their premises, schoolteachers who organised students to tag and the students cooperating, to each and every person who offered our tags to the public, and to the public for responding so generously "thank you".

Through your generosity we were blessed with a total of $20,000-plus. During the ensuing year may you all be blessed. Yours in Lionism,

LIONS BETTY HOWES & FAITH GILKES

Co -Chairpersons

Ban this harsh tradition

April 30, 2008

Dear Sir,

I wish to address the recent articles in The Royal Gazette regarding the Bermuda Regiment. Firstly, yes, it is nice to know that the Regiment will clear up fallen trees and fix peoples roofs after a hurricane, but at what price? My point isn't to slander the Bermuda Regiment, but to reiterate the fact that the male only conscription policy is in violation of one's human rights. Unfortunately our Island tolerates discrimination based on convenience. To make matters worse public officials defend conscription because the "majority of Bermudians support it".

Secondly I would like to point out that the military aspect of the Regiment does no good to anyone at all. It's poorly managed, with badly outdated equipment and techniques. It forces successful young professional men to waste their time and energy away from their families and work, intruding on an already stressed work life balance. And for what? So they can go and clean up some trees after a hurricane or better yet prance around at a parade for the publics amusement?

I am a professional 21 year old male recently back from the United Kingdom now hoping to set up my own business. I have arrived just in time that I have found out that I have been drafted and must report for boot camp next year.

I have never been in any sort of trouble nor been in any physical fights. I don't approve of violence and now will be sent up to Warwick Camp to learn how to shoot a pistol and to be screamed at.

I wish to close this letter by wishing all who are involved with trying to ban this harsh ancient way of tradition the best of luck and look forward to a modern system that will entitle people the choice to chooses if they wish to partake in an organisation such as the Bermuda Regiment.

A YOUNG BERMUDIAN

St. David's