Shameful and shortsighted

October 10, 2007

Dear Sir,

Returning to Bermuda after some years, I was saddened to find out that the Bermuda Government remains as small-minded as ever.

While almost every city in the world has special rates for all Senior citizens on Public Transportation, Bermuda still does restricts these to Bermuda Citizen only. Indeed you make it clear in your pamphlets in bold letters that only Bermuda citizens are eligible.

I wrote to the Minister of Tourism some years ago and her reply was that it was the citizens of Bermuda who paid for the service and should be the only ones entitled to the discount.

What a shameful shortsighted attitude. Senior fares have always been extended everywhere as a salute or courteous gesture to Seniors. I guess using your selfish analogy, the middle-aged should resent the senior discounts since they have paid for them and aren't getting them.

Shame on you Bermuda. If you should ever visit my city of Montreal, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Reno, Salt Lake City, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc., etc. we would be delighted to extend senior fares to Bermudans even on a visit.

JAY RUBINSTEIN

5713 McAlear Ave

Montreal QC H4W2G8

I'm voting Dunkley

September 26, 2007

Dear Sir,

I see that Loyal Hill Pass is now open. It has taken four years to get this done. Funny that nothing happened since Patrice Minors was elected. I am voting for Michael Dunkley for sure.

LOOKING FOR A CHANGE

Devonshire

Enjoyed the Festival

October 8, 2007

Dear Sir,

This is an open letter to the Premier of Bermuda, Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown, also the Minister of Tourism & Transport.

Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations!

In my humble estimation, The Bermuda Music Festival 2007 was the most entertaining, most energetic, most culturally binding event ever witnessed on this island. Adjectives in the superlative are unable to aptly describe this event. One just had to be there and I was there for all four evenings. Mr. Premier, what will you have for us in 2008?

I realise that you, our Premier, could not have put this show together without much support, much toil, much decision-making, and much advice. Therefore, I also express great thanks to every individual who had any part to play in seeing this event come to fruition. Well done!

As you know so well, Premier Brown, in spite of those people who cannot be pleased any of the time, there are those of us who do recognise that you are doing great things for this country. We also recognise that you are human and therefore not perfect. When we, as individuals in our family, disagree with something which you might say or do, we voice our concerns among each other and amongst our friends. We discuss, criticise, etc, etc, and then move on, but we never desert our ship. We sail on with our government until the seas become calm.

Of course, we realise that more stormy weather will always be probable, but we also know that fine weather days will outnumber the stormy ones. As we look back over the record of this Government, we note many, many worthwhile accomplishments. There is no need to list these accomplishments and those who fail to acknowledge them fall into the category of 'those that cannot be please any of the time'.

I reiterate that you are doing great things for this country! Naysayers will always be around. You and your government must stay at the wicket, for the runs will surely come (in fact, they are coming).

Mr. Premier, there is one small criticism. Believe me, I am not a prude and anyone who truly knows me, knows that I enjoy a good joke…even a naughty one, but I felt that the guest hosts of Thursday and Friday night's shows went a bit overboard with the racially directed slurs and innuendos, especially considering the diversity of the audiences. Of course, this is my opinion, and it in no way ruined my overall enjoyment of the four fabulous evenings of world class entertainment.

Carry on Mr. Premier!

DOROTHY K. WILLIAMS

Pembroke

Dream Girls were great

October 11, 2007

Dear Sir,

On Wednesday October 10th I had the distinct pleasure of attending the opening night of the Gilbert and Sullivan Musical "Dream Girls" showing at the City Hall in Hamilton. It was the third time I have seen this musical.

The first was on the big screen and starred Jennifer Hudson and Eddie Murphy. Talk about a tough act to follow.

I saw it again off Broadway this past summer and I must say that because it was live, in a large theatre with a very strong professional cast, I considered it at least comparable to the film version.

Last night I witnessed the outright winner of all three shows. I am certain that had Jennifer and Eddie attended last night's performance they would have been on their feet, along with the rest of us during the standing ovation at the end of the show.

It is also the first that I have ever seen a partial standing ovation at the close of the opening act and I believe that the only reason many more did not join us is that such an act is almost without precedent.

Except to say the sets were spectacular making it up close, and personal I'll leave the naming of names and all the other accolades that this musical so richly deserves to the professionals.

I did, however, feel compelled to make this letter my first priority of the day in order to ensure that everyone in Bermuda has the opportunity to see this brilliant production. It's that good and as Jim Woolridge would say, (You've got to) BE THERE.

STUART G. DOYLE

Pembroke

A win-win situation

October 3, 2007

Dear Sir,

Thank heaven someone has shown some common sense at last. Swapping Southlands for Morgan's Point kills two birds with one stone; it preserves the last large tract of open space left on the island, and develops Morgan's Point, which has been an eyesore ever since it was abandoned by the navy all those years ago.

This is also a win-win situation for the hotel group, as it offer flat land, much easier to build on, and water on three sides. What an opportunity for sailing, cruising and all water sports, plus direct contact by water transport to Hamilton and Dockyard. What a big attraction that would be, as transportation is one of the biggest problems that tourists have to face.

It would also relieve the traffic situation on the roads. The south shore location may have been the incentive for all the big plans for the Southlands development, but the beach there is not that good, and it disappears completely sometimes after storms. I know this because I used to live there.

As for the oil spill, it is unlikely that clearing it up will cost more than the cost of tunnelling for miles under the south shore. I would imagine that the hotel group will take that in their stride, considering the magnitude of their plans.

A first-class hotel with golf course etc. at Morgan's Point would be a great asset to Bermuda, and it is about time something was done with that derelict piece of land that has been begging for attention for years.

This gives Government the opportunity to open Southlands to the public. I suggest that the house be converted into a tea room, a sort of 'Tea and Treasures' in the old style, a small attractive restaurant, selling Bermuda made gifts among other carefully chosen really nice things. This would be a great stopping off point for taxi drivers doing the island tour, and give tourists, as well as us Bermudians, the chance to explore all the nooks and crannies of that wonderful property.

It should remain the natural wilderness that it is, and give people a taste of the way Bermuda used to be. Please let us try to recapture some of the old charm that made Bermuda so attractive to visitors.

As for a lease on Morgan's Point, I suggest giving them 999 years. By then the Island will probably be sunk under a sea of cement anyway, so what's to lose?

E. RABEN

Paget

Do they measure up?

October 9, 2007

Dear Sir,

Why not gather all B.U.T. members/teachers and employees/educators at the Dept. of Education and, with outside/foreign Educational "experts" assess their performance vis-vis Bermuda students ages five-18? Do they measure up?

DEEBEE

Devonshire

A note of thanks

October 10, 2007

Dear Sir,

I just want to compliment Mr. Waite who works at the Bank of Bermuda's Church Street branch on the fantastic job that he is doing. With a lot of negativity surrounding many of our black brothers, he stands out as one of the few in a million.

Mr. Waite, keep up the good work; it is always a pleasure coming into the bank and observing the way you take care of the customers. Your personality will take you places. I hope my son and many of the other young men will look to you as a role model.

BIG UP & NUFF NUFF RESPECT

A customer from Southampton

Another note of thanks

October 6, 2007

Dear Sir,

I woke up one Tuesday morning in 2003, and discovered a lump in my breast. It was one of the most frightening moments of my life. Following visits to the doctor and a surgeon and various tests, the outcome was that I had cancer. A mastectomy was performed on me in King Edward Hospital and the caring and attention from the medical staff was above excellence. Afterwards I was an outpatient for a series of chemo treatments. Once again, the nurses were wonderful.

The next step was being introduced to PALS and what an amazing organisation this is. I was cared for by one of their nurses who must have been sent down to me from "up above" because there is no other description for her but an "angel" (Anne Brown).

I am a cancer survivor and I have been very blessed. I never took a step outside Bermuda and I couldn't have had any better treatment anywhere. Cancer is not a death threat any more. A positive outlook is very important and caring people to look after you.

To all the doctors, the surgeon, the nurses and staff and the hairdresser (Allison) who introduced me to wings and made me feel more like myself again. Thank you and God Bless you all.

IRENE COOK

City of Hamilton