What message?

February 1, 2008

Dear Sir,

History repeats itself in how sea disaster offenders are dealt with. For example, Capt Joe Hazelwood of the Exxon Valdez disaster in Alaska was sentenced to 1,000 hours of community service, broken out as 200 hours each year. After almost ten years of court hearings and billions of dollars later, Joe reportedly only had to load up a truck with abandoned auto parts and assorted junk thrown along the roadside of Anchorage. Is this justice for being drunk on the job?

Meanwhile, closer to home, the decision to fire a ferry pilot instead of keeping him employed in another position sends at least two messages that require careful consideration. First, controversial but important to note. Does this say, remove all those "Don't Drink And Drive" signs, and forget the seat belt law because it doesn't mean anything other than a rap on the knuckles? Abandon the Road Safety Council and other organisations with the same objective to promote safety on our roads and on the water? Of course not!

There are obviously those who advocate additional punishment after the court conviction. In other words, a stipulation of continued employment with community service, counselling and commitment to stay sober. We think this is far more appropriate!

Primarily, the issue here is to educate our children so that they understand terrible behavior has severe consequences!

TOPPY COWEN AND SAUNDRA COWEN

British Columbia

What was missing

February 1, 2008

Dear Sir,

Having read the Throne Speech I note the following:

The Government has pledged to amend the Municipalities Act 1923 to "reflect modern good governance" ¿ this is the first mention of good governance from the PLP. I would suggest that before they go after the Corporations (which admittedly do need to change) they should look in-house and make the Government more accountable and less "outdated."

In fact, why not support Mr Scott's PATI initiative or is there too much to cover up? The Government pledge regarding the Corporations seems to be designed to deflect criticism of its own lack of transparency.

The PLP promised in its Platform "Free daycare for Bermudian families".

Now as Government they say "This Government will provide free child care services for children up to the age of four years¿" for "¿qualified families¿" Have we been misled? The PLP Platform certainly suggested free daycare for all Bermudians. In fact the UBP criticised the PLP for suggesting such an initiative.

The Government has undertaken to "introduce a raft of initiatives dedicated to improving the condition of the environment while simultaneously improving the quality of life of Bermudians and residents, thereby ensuring we live within Bermuda's limits." Surely this should include reducing the number of Special Development Orders and actually protecting the environment? I suppose the Coco Reef SDO is not covered by this pledge since the SDO was granted before the Throne Speech¿

The Government has pledged "¿to ensure that journalistic integrity and the freedom of information continue to mature..." by pioneering "¿the creation of a Press Council, a self-regulatory body, appointed to enforce compliance with an agreed Code of Practice" and that "consultation on this initiative will commence in the second quarter of this year." There was nothing in the Platform about this initiative. Will the Code of Practice define a "plantation question?"

The Government has pledged to "¿ reinvigorate Bermuda's declining citrus and fruit culture through the introduction of new varieties, and education classes will be offered in order to promote public participation in this initiative." There is nothing in the PLP Platform on this issue. Surely more time and energy should be spent on preserving open space?

None of the specifics regarding the various financial sector regulations and changes to legislation were in the PLP Platform, presumably since to do so would have highlighted the IMF report that was put under lock and key until after the 2007 General Election. However the initiatives are welcome.

Mr Editor, whilst I accept that the PLP platform sets out the PLP's vision for a full government term of five years it is notable that some of the main items in the platform did not make it into the Throne Speech, in particular free bus and ferry transportation and increased funding for the Police. With that said the Premier had no idea how such initiatives were to be funded anyway.

Finally I commend the Government for continuing to explore the issue of race relations in Bermuda. I just hope that everyone pays attention, including Government members and that the proposed CITV programme is well balanced.

MICHAEL M. FAHY

Hamilton Parish

Open up, Corporation

January 23, 2008

Dear Sir,

This is an open letter to the Mayor of Hamilton and the rest of the boys and girls at City Hall.

"Time to move into the 21st Century, guys....!"

I'm an old time white guy like most of you. I went to school with some of you. I even support the UBP like some of you. But, guys, even the UBP does a better job of talking to the public and changing with the times. You all need to wake up and smell the roses...

Now, before you go off and tell me that I don't know what I'm talking about and that it's really Suthy's problem, all I have to say is 'Who's fault is that (assuming it's true)?'.

You hold your meetings in private; your Mayor doesn't know the 'team' concept from the I formation; you never seem to actually do anything new; you never tell the public anything unless you're having a problem; and your elections are held under rules established two centuries ago.

Do you not understand what's happening on this Island? Whether you like it or not ... the old ways of doing things are over. You cannot run Hamilton like David Gibbons ran Bermuda i.e. Bermuda Inc. I'm not saying he was wrong, I'm just saying that times have seriously changed. I'd encourage all of you not to simply dismiss what I say because I think a lot of Bermudians are really beginning to get ticked off at you.

Just look at the last election. Bermudian, black and white, are saying they want change and they want action and, even if they have a funny way of stating this, I think they are even saying we want some openess ... or as the RG puts it 'Freedom of Information'.

The Government is about to wrap you up and toss you overboard if you don't do what the people want and here are some suggestions:

1)Open it up. Meetings, minutes, whatever .. .not the day to day ... but give people a look and a say into the world of the Corporation. You have to figure out a way to do this and, I agree, with some balance, but if you don't, Doc is gonna make a house call..

2) Elections. I'm not sure who decided that the City of Hamilton belonged simply to the merchants there but those days are over. I am a Bermudian and I am not a voter in the City, but Hamilton is every bit as much my capital city as it is anything to do with a merchant. Everybody who lives here and every tourist who visits this Island, spends time in Hamilton and elections to City Hall should be decided by a much wider group. I just make the point that this policy needs to be addressed but I don't have an answer.

3) Do something. All you seem to do is talk and spend money. I realise that you "maintain' the status quo (and very well) but people want to see some changes: a) The dock area along Front Street ¿ how much longer can you waffle about this? You don't have to do a John Swan development, but changing the dock use from car and cycle parking to a hospitality, retail and activity centre with tons of business and job opportunities for Bermudians is a smart thing to do. Stop talking and start acting.

b) The hotel in Par-la-Ville car park. The mayor has been tossing tidbits on this for years. Do something to get it moving. If you ran your business where the action happened at this pace...you'd all be broke.

c) City Hall. Today's RG had a submission by architects. They have a great idea...embrace it and build it. Stop talking and waffling. It can't take more than a few of you to come up with a way to finance whatever you build and probably develop an income source for years to come. Just do something.

The City of Hamilton is a major component in the lives of all Bermudians and visitors. You are only the latest group to be elected to run the place but you seem to be like a bunch of old fogeys, strolling through the park.

Personally, I think there should be a small group of people who develop policy but the city should be managed by a City manager with some developed skills and experience in town administration. Leaving it in the hands of people whose only experience has been in the private sector and are part of a very small group of people eligible to be involved, is not a very forward thinking view.

LANGHORN CLEMENS

Southampton

Time to consult

February 2, 2008

Dear Sir,

One of the unintended benefits to the community in catching an official lying is that their subsequent public statements are then often subject to scrutiny and not casual acceptance.

A case in point has been recently demonstrated where Mr. Madeiros, the Mayor, lied about his involvement in the decision to terminate the lease of the Bermuda Society of Arts in the City Hall Building.

In The Royal Gazette of Friday February 1st there is an article by Mr. Matthew Taylor under the headline 'Number One Shed to be Torn Down'. In an interview with Mr. Madeiros, he is quoted as saying "the space will be needed for other things under the plan, but the structure is being taken down because it needed re-wiring".

Only the simple-minded would believe this is true. It is an open warehouse with exposed wiring. The truth of the matter is that Mr. Madeiros and the members of the Corporation of Hamilton have decided to implement the idiotic 'New Hamilton Waterfront Plan' which they produced in March, 2006. A public meeting was held then and a number of questions were raised about its feasibility. Taxpayers and owners of property in the affected areas were not consulted before the plan's production or since.

The Corporation is also making plans to pedestrianise Reid Street, again without consultation with the owners of the properties on that street. They stacked a Committee with supporters and excluded property owners from the discussions to investigate whether to pedestrianise the street.

Over the years many people have suggested to the Corporation that there would not be so much opposition to their plans if they were to improve the infrastructure and parking facility for Hamilton. The last City of Hamilton Plan envisaged a City Centre with lots of little old ladies pushing pedal bikes through the City. It does not give you much confidence that they know what they are doing or could handle a billion dollars of the public's money. As all of us know it only takes one pedal bike holding their line in traffic to upset half of Hamilton's commuters.

It would be better if the Corporation of Hamilton came clean on its plans and had a genuine discussion with the stakeholders. The last communication from the Corporation inviting them to a meeting was received by one of the recipients five days after the event.

W. ROGER DAVIDSON

Warwick

Praise for facility

January 30, 2008

Dear Sir,

This letter is in reference to the Sylvia Richardson Facility located in St. George.

At this time, I would like to congratulate the Administrator and Staff of this splendid facility for the efficiency and excellent care displayed in maintaining the daily operations there.

Mr. Clarence Warren, my brother, is a resident of the said facility, and I am extremely grateful and delighted at the superior health care and attention that he is receiving from such capable, caring and nurturing staff there.

Acknowledgements also to the Administrator and Staff for hosting the excellent full course (with all the trimmings) Christmas Repast, served to invited guests, and family members of the residents, to help make this a Joyous Festive occasion.

After all the melodious Carol singing, we received a visit from Santa, who brought much delight to all who were in attendance.

In closing, please continue to carry out the excellent service that you and your staff have been providing for the residents there.

May God Bless You All and have a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.

VIOLA O'BRIEN (MRS.)

Admit mistakes, BWVA

January 31, 2008

Dear Sir,

I find it incredible that Tommy Aitcheson wishes to think of quotes from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King in defence of past actions of the Bermuda War Veterans Association.

This stance would be comical if not so, so sad ¿ irony at its best. The simple truth is that the BWVA was guilty of unfair practices in the past, continued to deny assistance for valiant veterans who were in need but who happened to be different from them, and closed ranks with total arrogance to try to justify their manoeuvres. They neither wanted nor sought to open their doors to eligible soldiers who did not look like them.

When finally asked to justify their action, they resorted to attacks, threats and false innuendo rather than admitting to the errors of their ways. If not for the persistent and dogged efforts of the mighty few, many disadvantaged war vets would still be in need, denied by the very organisation that they reached out to for assistance.

It is conveniently forgotten on whose advice the War pensions committee ¿ responsible for issuing pensions ¿ relied on.

In order to move forward, the BWVA need to simply admit their mistakes of the past, commit to a better modern understanding of all Bermuda Veterans, and operate in a fair and equitable manner. Nothing less than the truth and fairness will elevate what should have been an honourable and gallant organisation to the heights that were and are desired by all courageous, committed veterans of Bermuda who served with distinguishable pride in the First and Second World Wars.

BARRETT St. VINCENT DILL

Sandys