Few would deny Dame Lois

September 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

Yesterday there was a surprise announcement that Bermuda Day would be renamed "National Heroes Day" and that the first National Hero would be Dame Lois Browne-Evans. You may recall that in July Cultural Affairs Minister Wayne Perinchief initially asked the public how Dame Lois should be remembered.

There were only 101 submissions, one of which was from the United Bermuda Party. Michael Dunkley said on 9 August 2007 that "We (the United Bermuda Party) feel it is time for Bermuda, and particularly the children of Bermuda, to celebrate Heroes Day. We believe one day a year should be set aside to focus on the people who have helped make this island great. It could be a holiday, or it could be a day in which the schools focus exclusively on teaching students about great Bermudians. It will be a great way to build pride in Bermuda, and a great way to celebrate who we are as a people."

He also said that "…the new law court building, when it is completed, (should) be named in her (Dame Lois') honour. This we think would serve well as a tribute to Dame Lois's memory and, indeed, her legacy." However, rather than create a new holiday, on September 19, 2007 our Premier stood before the people of Bermuda and announced the end of Bermuda Day by saying "This is a great day for our country. Our country's matriarch is getting her just due. We collectively mourned when Dame Lois passed and now we can truly begin the process of celebrating her life."

Mr. Editor, few people will deny that Dame Lois should be recognised. However, I doubt that the people of Bermuda want to see the end of Bermuda Day. This is a big mistake and I for one am in support of the United Bermuda Party position as outlined above. In my view the Premier's announcement is yet another cynical ploy to use the passing of Dame Lois as a springboard to attempt to win the next election. As the Premier said himself: "Dame Lois long believed there was a need to instill national pride in our people." I am quite sure that Dame Lois' method of instilling national pride would not be to banish Bermuda Day to the history books.

MICHAEL M. FAHY

Hamilton Parish

It's no mystery

September 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

I do not believe that we need to spend $400,000 on a report on black males. By the time this money is spent and the report released, too much time will have passed and we will end up where we are now, except the difference may be that an expert will have told us what we already know. The problem is that parents do not take enough responsibility for their children. We expect the Government to solve the problem, we expect the schools to solve the problem. When are the parents going to accept that they have to solve the problem? That money would be better spent on adult/parenting education.

Reading the comments in today's paper some of the youth have some worrying thoughts on life: roadblocks to success, being shortchanged, the education system, no technical training etc. There is more opportunity on this Island for anybody who is prepared to work than in any other place I can think of and all this talk of being disenfranchised is a cop-out, it's just too easy to blame someone else. There are excellent programmes for young people: Duke of Edinburgh, Outward Bound, Raleigh International, the Bermuda Sloop Foundation etc. The sad thing is that these organisations are needed because the parents failed. By commissioning this report the Government is further exacerbating the situation because it suggests that there is some mysterious reason why we have the problems that we do and it lets those who are responsible off the hook. It is no mystery.

"This is about little children ... and people not giving them better choices, Talking. Talking. Parenting. Correctly parenting. That's what it's about. And you can't blame other things. You got to – you got to straighten up your house. Straighten up your apartment. Straighten up your child." – Bill Cosby

ALAN GAMBLE

City of Hamilton

It's about the execution

September 19, 2007

Dear Sir,

We read with interest the article in The Royal Gazette on Friday September 14, 2007 entitled – National Dance Foundation salaries were fair – audit. While we welcome the National Dance Foundation's (NDFB) efforts to seek an independent audit, we continue to question the need for three full-time staff positions to run a three week summer intensive dance programme and a few weekend workshops. And, what are the proposed salaries? It must be noted that the salary issue was but one of a number of concerns about the NDFB. It is fact that a number of Bermuda's respected dance school owners and dance supporters resigned from the NDFB in December 2006. To date questions still remain.

In addition to the staffing concern issues at that time included the following concerns:

Financial matters: the need for:

► Reduced expenses

► Tighter controls on the budget

► Development of the summer dance institute in a more cost effective manner

► Review of the high cost to dancers for the institute – it is our understanding that the total cost to dancers for the 2007 three week institute was $3,000+ per dancer unless they had a scholarship or bursary.

Programming: the need to:

► Examine alternative ways of running the institute beyond 2007 with a view to reducing the cost of the programme while increasing the diversity

► Develop the institute with other partners (& not enter into a long-term contract with American Ballet Theatre (ABT)

Governance: the need to ensure that:

► A significant percentage of the Board of Directors are active in the dance community

► Good corporate governance is followed l Restricted funds are protected for their intended purpose

General issues included: the need to:

► Ensure that the majority of the dance schools are in support of NDFB's programming and are involved in the decision-making

► Respect and acknowledge the historical roots of the organisation

► Seek open and meaningful dialogue within the Board We believe strongly that the concerns expressed and the recommendations made invite more varied and dynamic programming that would be more cost effective and benefit all who participate. It has been our hope that NDFB would resolve the issues. It is not clear to what extent progress has been made toward addressing the concerns.

In the 25 year history of the Bermuda Dance Theatre and the National Dance Theatre of Bermuda, the forerunners of NDFB, workshops were provided free of charge with international guest teachers and choreographers from renowned companies including the National Ballet of Canada, Boston Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, London Contemporary Theatre, Houston Ballet, Philadanco. Major performances were held featuring Bermudian and visiting choreographers dating from 1977 to 2002.

It is important to note that the dance schools on the island, the major training ground for the dancers and source of dancers for the NDFB programme, seek to promote and develop dance on an ongoing basis. These well established schools offer workshops for their students here and abroad with international teachers and choreographers and numerous performance opportunities across the Island to complement their dance training. The high cost of the NDFB programme significantly drains potential funds that could be available to the non-for-profit dance community. It is a certainty that if the NDFB continues to run as it has it will reduce dance and performance opportunities for local performers.

Let us be clear, we believe in the Mission of the NDFB but not with the current execution of that Mission. We remain committed to provide and support excellent training opportunities for our dancers.

BARBARA FRITH, Founder

SUZETTE HARVEY, Founder/Artistic Director, United Dance Productions / Bermuda Dance Company (non-for-profit)

LOUISE JACKSON, Founder

JEANNE LEGERE, Owner/Director, Jackson School of Performing Arts

CONCHITA MING, Founder

LIZZ PIMENTEL, Owner/Director of In Motion School of Dance/ Concepts In Motion Dance Company (non-for-profit)

CORAL WADDELL, Director, The Bermuda School of Russian Ballet

An open apology

September 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

On the morning of September 19, 2007, at the junction of Ord Road and Cobbs Hill Road, I lost my temper and yelled at a woman who was trying to turn left onto Ord Road on her way to Paget Primary. I have no way of contacting this woman, so I am hoping you will print this letter:

Dear Madame, I am sorry. I had legitimate reasons to be stressed out, frustrated, angry and on a short fuse, but none of them had anything to do with you, and there is no excuse for my behaviour. I hope you will accept my sincere apology.

The big fat white guy on the big black bike

Paget

Don't publish such rot

September 19, 2007

Dear Sir,

In today's newspaper, a Makai Dickerson wrote a number of things in his letter to you regarding Michael Dunkley, the Leader of the Opposition. I for one will not be sucked in by nonsense spread by "hard core" supporters of either political party, but what I will do is stand up for people with integrity, particularly when such people are misquoted and their words spun to fit another's agenda.

There are many items in that letter which deserve a response but one in particular that hit me square in the nose was Mr. Dickerson's remark that "I would even go so far as to suggest Mr. Dunkley was happy to see it happen (Shaki Crockwell murdered) because in a very twisted and sick way it gave him another reason to point the finger at the PLP Government." Mr. Editor – shame on you for publishing such rot (imagine Mr. Crockwell's family's reaction to this), shame on the PLP for presumably approving this letter (Mr. Dickerson is a moderator for a PLP Facebook page) and most of all shame on Mr. Dickerson.

Mr Editor, if Mr Dickerson really is the "voice/spokesmen [sic]" for young Bermudians then this island nation of ours in is real trouble. For the avoidance of any doubt I will, on behalf of sensibly minded people across this island, remind your readers exactly what Mr Dunkley was saying "Public urgings by our political leaders would hold little water when their own behaviour – intimidation and a chronic refusal to answer questions on public issues – ran counter to, and set an unhelpful example for, what it was asking the public to do, which was to be forthcoming with information.

We will never get this society on the right track without more positive and open leadership. When people feel that the powers that be are on their side, when they know that their Government is not about intimidation and spite, then we will see the kind of openness and trust that can help the people of Bermuda thrive while making it more difficult for negative forces to prevail."

It is clear that Mr. Dickerson is being used by the powers that be to try and discredit an honourable man. Mr Dickerson, I have tell you – do not be fooled by those that try to befriend you and have you write letters on their behalf – there is so much you do not know. Not only is it wrong – it is also false.

A VOTER WHO WILL NOT BE FOOLED

Devonshire

The cost is secondary

September 20, 2007

Dear Sir

I would like to take this opportunity to offer my thoughts and personal congratulations to all of the participants in this year's Dance Bermuda three week summer intensive program. As a volunteer, chaperone and foremost, a parent, it is with a great sense of pride that my family and I continue to be allowed the honour of being associated with the National Dance Foundation of Bermuda. While Bermuda has so many wonderful youth programs doing so many amazing things for our youth, it is a pleasure to have a chance to be involved in one that has set such high standards and continues to evolve into the most well rounded and diverse dance production group on the island.

In a short three-week period, local and foreign artists were trained together in various styles of dance including African, Modern and Ballet. The final production, as always, was one that did not need elaborate set designs or intricate costumes, did not need glitz and glamour, instead delivering a powerful collaboration of talent that were only dedicated to the art of dance. It was a thrill to watch and even more of a thrill to see our local dancers enjoying this wonderful opportunity, an opportunity that they do not get anywhere else in Bermuda at any time. An opportunity not only to train and dance, but form friendships, share life experiences and have fun together. A lot of these relationships will be carried with them for life.

While there may be some in the dance community who may have questions about the programme, and the Foundation, the one thing that even they cannot question is the quality of training that happens during these three weeks. Yes, this training costs money, as do all intensive programmes of this nature. Whether or not that level of training is worth that price is not so much dependent on whether it can be afforded, but at what price you put on the value of such an education? If your dancer is a serious dancer, then the price is secondary. That said, the Foundation does its very best to accommodate any dancer who needs financial assistance.

Last, I applaud the findings of the independent auditor who justified the NDFB's structure and their staff. Let's hope this will squash any rumours, and educate the people who may have been misled in the past. The dance community is one that covers so many different sectors of our society and should find a common ground for which all of our young dancers may realise their true potential.

PHILLIP A. RAY

Pembroke

Honour Roosevelt

September 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

Roosevelt Brown (Dr. Paaluu Karmarkafego) was responsible for our achieving Universal Franchise. A great many people have been involved in, and sacrificed for, creating a more just society in Bermuda. My own mind always goes to the Theatre Boycott because "the people" made it a success. Most will probably think first of that icon of the labour Movement, Dr. E.F. Gordon, without whom we would not have had the BIU which has been so consistently effective in achieving a measure of justice for the working class, most of whom are black.

While it cannot be expected that a younger generation will be aware of, or acknowledge, men like either Dr. Cann, W.L. Tucker, William Paynter, Austin Wilson or countless others, we are all well aware of Roosevelt Brown. He did not serve in Parliament for very long, he was frequently out of the country. He did not indulge in flowery, dramatic oratory which appeals to most blacks (including myself) and which we really appreciate because it captures our attention and entertains us.

He received little recognition during his lifetime, even under a PLP Government, but his contribution was greater, more tangible, more practical than that of many. Without his efforts and universal franchise we could not possibly have a PLP Government. Many do not value the vote, nor exercise it wisely. Is that why we seem to value him so little, and have not spoken of him or heard his name since his death? Despite the greater influence of economic power, he gave to all of the powerless in this country, most of whom are black, the only real power that they have. He gave us that power without dividing us.

Despite the many challenges which we currently face, Bermuda would be a very different country without the efforts of Rosevelt Brown and he should be at the very top of any list of Heroes.

EVA N. HODGSON

Crawl