Just a quick note about water consumption by our visitors.

Many North American cities impose water usage limits during the summer months, therefore, most of our guests are probably well versed on the need to conserve water.

Why not give hotel guests the option of having sheets and towels washed everyday? Most people will go without this service if they are aware of low water levels. Many hotels in the Caribbean and Florida Keys already practise this conservation method successfully.

VANESE FLOOD St. George's Where are the Police? June 27, 2000 Dear Sir, I would like to comment on the letter written in The Royal Gazette, June 26, 2000, "Maniacs on our Roads''.

I agree with it entirely. When are we going to do something about this incredible traffic problem that we have? Don't ask the PLP Government though, they'll tell you everything takes time. Well we don't have a whole lot of that, now do we. The Transport Minister wants to turn Bermuda into a mini New York with his ideas of faster ferries, larger cars etc. I do not agree. He and Paula Cox should drive the island and see these maniacs riding around and watch as the police are nowhere to be found. I cannot believe they do not know where speeders are. They use the roads like a race track. Why? Because there is no Police presence. Ms. Cox has the nerve to report 33 percent less accidents on our roads. That's because the maniacs are never caught. Why? Because the Police are nowhere to be found.

Mr. Editor, I drive for a living to go from one account to another. I drive from Somerset to Shelly Bay every week and believe me these people who are the maniacs on the road are teenagers or boys and girls of a young age who are just showing off. They think they are sharp when they overtake a car or bus on a blind corner. They are risk takers. I don't think we can stop it. But, the Police can certainly do more. I watched a cop watch a speeder go by and he just shook his head. Didn't go after him. Didn't get on the radio, just shook his head. Well, maybe he was off duty at the time. Then I shook my head. Is this what we have come to? No law and order. When will something be done.

Nowadays I think we need to ask ourselves whether or not to allow our children to have a bike or have them wait until they are 18 to purchase a car where they will be better protected. Or better still, change the law so that the age is 18 to be able to own and operate a bike. Remember there are only a few who are ruining it for the ones who are responsible.

The Police can do more by setting up road blocks and checking licenses etc.

This will surely slow things down and make people pay attention. More needs to be done by the police of this country to protect those who are innocent, like our tourists. I have seen these poor people shake when they are overtaken by some idiot going 60 km. and over.

I would like to end this letter by pleading with all the parents to keep a close eye on their children. Since the Police do nothing, then we must. We must ask our children if they are riding correctly. We can surely find out the truth by watching them. They'll slip sooner or later if they're not. Then we need to take a stand to protect their lives. We must take away these bike keys and not allow there terrible riding habits to continue. This could save their precious young lives.

MARSHA DUBOIS Pembroke A glowing tribute June 23, 2000 Dear Sir, I publicly express appreciation and administration of Ms. Andrea Lightbourne for the hard work involved in writing the wonderful book on the life of her late uncle the affable Hurbert "Sparky'' Lightbourne. To say he lived a colourful life would be an understatement.

Having been born and grown up on the border of Pembroke and Devonshire at North Street I knew all the Lighbourne family all my life. Sparky was older.

Central Victor Scott School and the churches of various religions in the area played a big part in our lives. Every family was steady working, industrious, studious, honest and many other qualities.

The fact that Betty and the late Hurbert passed these traits onto their, children is quite evident, the book `Light the Spark' is indeed a `must read', the accompanying computer disk in the back is quite a plus. I think it would be superfluous for other remarks since the book is comprehensive.

I will say the reception held in November when people had the opportunity to commit to purchase the book was enjoyable. Plaudits were given then by a number of government ministers, Ms Theadora Animission, Sir John Plowman and others.

ROSS TUZO Warwick Stop this expat bashing June 28, 2000 Dear Sir, Some Bermudians are ignorantly treating expats as second class citizens.

If they don't want expats then they don't want hotels, huge income from the international companies and tourism, and the many other benefits resulting therefrom.

BERMUDIAN Warwick Flogging a dead horse June 23, 2000 Dear Sir, For those of us who have worked in government, this is particularly funny (or not). The tribal wisdom of the Dakota Indians, passed on from generation to generation, says that when you discover that you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount.

In modern education and government, however, a whole range of far more advanced strategies are often employed, such as: 1. Buying a stronger whip.

2. Changing Riders.

3. Threatening the horse with termination.

4. Appointing a committee to study the horse.

5. Arranging to visit other countries to see how others ride dead horses.

6. Lowering the standards so that dead horses can be included.

7. Re-classifying the dead horse as "living, impaired''.

8. Hiring outside contractors to ride the dead horse.

9. Harnessing several dead horses together to increase the speed.

10. Providing additional funding and/or training to increase the dead horse's performance.

11. Doing a productivity study to see if lighter riders would improve the dead horse performance.

12. Declaring that as the dead horse does not have to be fed, it is less costly, carries lower overhead, and therefore contributes substantially more to the bottom line of the economy than do some other horses.

13. Re-writing the expected performance requirements for all horses.

14. Promotion of the dead horse to a supervisory position.

PAGET VOTER Thanks for your support June 16, 2000 Dear Sir, Pilot Club of Hamilton, Bermuda has reached the end of its financial year and on Tuesday of June 15, the money raised during the year was presented to the following organisations: Windreach Recreational Village P.A.L.S.

Agape House Meals on Wheels Bermuda Mental Health Foundation Additional contributions were made to needy families, physically challenged trainees aboard the Lord Nelson tall ship and other worthwhile causes during the year.

I would like to use this medium to thank everyone who supported us so generously with our three fundraising events, the Light A Light for Charity Christmas Concert, A Valentine Casino Night and our Annual Wine Tasting Festival, and also all those patrons of the Hammers Auctions who support our canteen.

MARJORY AMOS Fund Raising co-ordinator The Pilot Club of Hamilton Not a class act June 28, 2000 Dear Sir, As I look at all these smiling faces of graduates, I fail to understand how all forms of media in Bermuda failed to cover the story that followed the graduation of one of the largest single class of graduates in Bermuda.

After the inspiring speeches about life and future. After being handed the key to the next part of their lives. After kissing relatives and hugging classmates. After all the photographs... they rode off to their future.

My only personal, up close view of the Cedarbridge Graduated Class of 2000, was in utter terror as they drove en mass at my car! I literally had to pull over as the pack of 50-plus students took over the road and drove with reckless abandon without regard for anyone coming in the other direction. I personally could have wiped out a few dozen students if we had not encountered each other at such a wide area of road. Furthermore, a VSB News van, with warning lights blinking, was in tow of this whole scene barely managing to keep up! I do not understand how, after all the struggle it took to graduate and after all the inspiring speeches, they would pack race to their future! I feel really sorry for these children. Not only are they ill-equipped for their future with a sub-standard education, but they also seem to lack the maturity and sensibility to handle it! Hooray! The class of 2000 has graduated! Now what guys? DRIVER City of Hamilton Scoffing at car ban idea June 28, 2000 Dear Sir, I read with interest the proposal by Mr Wayne Furbert to ban us expatriates from driving cars. This is unfortunate as it would prevent me from attending my frequent lunch dates at Cafe Paradiso; that is if he doesn't also propose to ban us expats from eating at his establishment.

LADY WHO LUNCHES Warwick Some choice words June 28, 2000 Dear Sir, Please tell me that Mr. Arthur Pitcher, MP didn't really say: "They weren't working with none of the harmful stuff'' as reported in your June 27 issue. If in fact this is what he said, then I have to ask: how did a man who uses such appalling grammar ever manage to get a job? JEAN S. HANNANT Pembroke