Dear Sir, Colonel Burch made an extraordinarily strange remark in the newspaper the other day. It was all apropos how difficult it was to reach and contact anybody in the new Government.

Colonel Burch said, to quote: "they always call us after 5 o'clock''.

Colonel Burch, governing is not a 9-to-5 job. You are supposed to be available to the press at any reasonable time. You might not like that, but that is the way government works. That's the life of a politician.

As the saying goes "If you cannot stand the heat, get out of the kitchen''.

CONCERNED CITIZEN Pembroke Profound conclusions July 6, 1999 Dear Sir, The Environment Minister, Mr. Arthur Hodgson, made the most profound statement about sustainable development that I have had the pleasure of reading.

Having worked in the hotel industry for many years, Mr. Hodgson's statement that: "we do not have a lot of unemployment'' can be investigated every week by the print media if they want the truth to be known.

But the print media will continue, like the Editor, to make statements concerning losses that he, Mr. Zuill, cannot prove.

After many years of reporting losses, Marriott Castle Harbour in a press release on June 11, 1998, stated that the profitability of the hotel is marginal.

I have never known Sonesta Beach, The Princess Hotels, and Elbow Beach, etc.

to have lost money.

RAYMOND RUSSELL SR.

Pembroke Tragic reality offends July 12, 1999 Dear Sir, Allow me to use your column as a venue to express my disappointment in today's edition of The Royal Gazette .

It was sad enough to learn of another double tragedy on our roads during the early hours of Sunday, July 11, in Spanish Point.

I was shocked when I purchased the morning paper to see the horrifying accident scene displayed front and centre on Page One -- obviously positioned as an attention-getter.

I know that the purpose of the daily paper is to relay news to the people of Bermuda, but publishing this picture was tacky and extremely cruel.

Mr. Editor, don't you realise that among your readers there are individuals that are emotionally devastated today? Congratulate yourself on adding to their pain.

Even though I did not know the two young men involved, my heart goes out to their family and friends during their time of bereavement. To the rest of our road-users -- please take your time.

LYNETTE POWELL Pembroke Samaritans abound June 10, 1999 Dear Sir, A few days ago your newspaper featured a news article about a knife-wielding cab driver who threatened a tourist.

I am not condemning the article because such behaviour is totally unacceptable, cannot be ignored and should be dealt with in a swift and lawful manner.

However, the article cast what seems to me to be a slight against the personality and good will of the vast majority of the people of Bermuda. I would like to offer the following experience as an example of my impressions of the innate goodness and generosity of Bermudian people.

My wife and I were riding double on a rented moped and returning from St.

George's when I somehow lost control of the machine and headed directly for an oncoming car.

I tried to correct, but realised instantly that was not going to work, so I threw the bike to the ground almost directly in front of the car. The driver reacted instantly and was able to stop a few feet away from us.

He immediately got out, took control of the situation, directed traffic, and saw to our needs. I am terribly sorry not to know his name, but I understand he is "a Pitcher from St. David's, and I want him to know of my deep and lasting appreciation for his help as well as for his driving skill.

I was concerned for my wife, and although neither of us seemed to need hospitalisation, I did want her to have transportation back to the hotel.

Shortly thereafter a friend of our "Pitcher'' drove by and was flagged down.

"Would he be willing to take my wife to our hotel?'' "Certainly'', he responded. Here we were, a bloody mess, befriended by a man we did not know, and another man offering to take my wife. She nor I hesitated a minute and accepted the man's offer. I can honestly say that I would not, under any circumstances, do the same thing in the United States.

The man who assisted my wife was a Mr. Austin S.C. Simons of Devonshire. My wife told me that Mr. Simons was a perfect gentleman, solicitous of her physical condition, refused any sort of compensation for his assistance, and later called to inquire about our condition.

That more or less ends that narrative except to say that at every turn, in every store, in every restaurant, in every cab -- literally in every situation in which we found ourselves for the rest of our trip we were met with well mannered, helpful, friendly, honest citizens who seem to take great pride and pleasure from these attributes.

And rightfully so. The rest of the world would profit if Bermudian attitudes were highly contagious.

This is our first visit to Bermuda, but I surely hope it not to be our last.

Perhaps by then mopeds will be replaced by golf carts, and everybody will be driving on the opposite side of the road.

DAN AND PHOEBE MILLER Marianna, Ark.

Pond's a passing delight July 5, 1999 Dear Sir, Passing the Warwick Pond which is very beautiful, I wonder if those that can will finish cutting the bushes and cane grass down all the way, so everyone can see this lovely pond.

There are little patches already cut back but are fast growing up again. It's a shame the passing public cannot see this lovely pond that has cranes, ducks, etc. We should have more at these beauty spots visible to the public. Please do it.

DEVONSHIRE Thanks to all... July 12, 1999 Dear Sir, On Monday, July 5, in the City of Hamilton, I suffered a blackout while on my bike and fell to the ground.

I would like to thank all of the passersby who came to assist me.

C. EVE Devonshire Continental service July 12, 1999 Dear Sir, This letter is a token of my appreciation to Continental Motors Ltd.

Especially the following two staff members who went out of their way to accommodate me, by staying late, even after closing time to provide me with my new Peugeot 206.

Mr. Jeffrey Stirling and Mr. Mike Cordeiro were a great help, Thanks! The entire staff always welcomed me with a smile and were always eager to please.

Their Service Dept., was even better. I called for my first service appointment, and got one for the next day. The best part was they only kept my car for four hours. I was most impressed.

Thanks to all of you, keep up the great service. I'm sure that everyone who has a Peugeot can relate to my letter of satisfaction. I look forward to dealing with you all in the near future.

LINDA DESILVA Pembroke Not exempt from rents July 13, 1999 Dear Sir, I am writing in reference to the high rents in Bermuda.

For the past nine years I have had the opportunity to live in a Bermuda cottage, three bedrooms, one full bath, kitchen with a nook, two walk-in closets plus a closet in each bedroom, dining room, living room with a fire place and an entrance room at the modest price of $1,100.00 per month.

An opportunity that has truly opened my eyes. My house has now been sold and I have to move. The rents that I have since come across for accommodations that are so much smaller are unreal.

I know what I had was truly affordable housing. Everyday I look in the newspaper and see one and two bedrooms $1,600.00 and up. I tried faxing a letter to over twenty real estate agents on the Island looking for affordable housing. I received a response from about five all saying that they have nothing in my price range, which was $1,500.00 max. The nearest amount to this was a two bedroom for $1,850.00.

I know that I may never have such an opportunity again, but homeowners I'm tired of hearing "I'm only renting to exempt companies'', "Do you have any children?'' or "Sorry you're not married.'' Not every hard-working person works for an exempt company, or is married. And yes, if I'm looking for a two or three bedroom I must have children, something you were all once, a child.

All I ask is that homeowners give people like me -- a hard worker with three children and a good job -- an opportunity to prove I can be a good tenant if the rent is affordable.

To my present Landlord I say "thank-you for that opportunity'', to the new homeowner I say, "Bear with me, as I look for affordable housing,'', and to all homeowners "consider everyone, do not discriminate''.

RELIABLE TENANT Warwick Proverbially speaking July 8, 1999 Dear Sir, Please allow me to refer to a letter in today's paper by M. Dubois.

You Sir or Madam, are absolutely correct. These nasty people should swing and I would provide the rope and pick the perfect spot to hang them.

It is time that our Government use the Proverb: "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'' If they don't know what that means, then just ask the Elders, Bermuda's laws are just a large laugh. Lawmakers get with it. Get tougher on these abusers like NOW!!! LAVITA WILLIAMS Pembroke