After reading about the "Family in Limbo over Education'', I just had to respond.

To the Mandersons, I'm very concerned about you. You say your child's education is very important and you wouldn't have bought a house if you thought there was going to be all of this. You would have carried on renting to pay for private education, but you shouldn't have to pay for education to get your five-year-old to learn the ABCs. You mean Saltus is about $10,000.

You Mandersons seem very confused and contrary. No, you don't need to go through all of that, you see, you are trying to be what you're not and do what you can't. You're listening to, too much negative talk. Let me ask, Mrs.

Manderson -- have you ever been to Purvis Primary to tour the school? What didn't impress you? If you visit Purvis Primary, you will find the school very clean and airy. The curriculum at Purvis is the same as at Gilbert, and all the other schools around the Island. The children even act the same, just like those in the private schools.

Let me also say that my childhood education, my siblings, and my three children are all products of Purvis Primary. The Principal and some of the qualified teachers who are still there today, have turned out many professional, qualified, successful people. Just to name a few of the "professionals'' -- one being myself, my daughters (one a Diagnostic Imaging Technologist and the other a Teacher with a Masters in Education). The Principals of both CedarBridge and West End Primary are products of Purvis.

(You shouldn't judge a book by its cover) No, you don't need to spend $10,000 per year or even $120,000 ($10,000 x 12) for the next 12 years to become successful or for Jessica to learn her ABCs.

Mrs. Manderson, I have a few more questions for you. Would you put your infant in a day-care without visiting first? Where would you move house to register Jessica? If you get extra jobs, who would pick her up from school? (Purvis has an excellent after-school programme). Have you discussed this with the person/s that told you to move to Paget? Stop listening to negative people. It's less stress to know your child will be taught in a class of 15 getting more personal attention then to stress yourself looking for $10,000 to learn with 30 other children.

AN EX-SUCCESSFUL PURVIS STUDENT Warwick Crackdown on pot fishing April 11, 2000 Dear Sir, Re: Three Cheers for Crackdown on Illegal Pot Fishing.

I am writing on behalf of the Water Sports Division of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce to congratulate the Ministry of the Environment on the recent crackdown on alleged illegal pot fishing.

We'd like to thank all of those involved in this effort -- from the Government leaders who helped make it happen, to the Marine Police and Fisheries Wardens.

The Government is to be commended for undertaking a collaborative strategy in tackling this problems.

We commend the Minister of the Environment for involving the community in a review of the Green Paper. This participatory process is vital if we are to implement policies that will be supported by all members of the community and by all stake-holders.

With so much negative news being generated these days, we believe it is critical that we speak out in support of good work that is being done by this Government. We are surprised that there has not been a resounding cheer from the community for this good work.

JOAN WARD On behalf of The Bermuda Chamber of Commerce Water Sports Operators Double standard April 10, 2000 Dear Sir, This letter is in reference to Pamela Gordon and her reference to Jennifer Smith as a `social princess'. I think everyone should stop and think for a minute about the double standard that goes on in Government. Isn't it funny how Dame Lois Brown-Evans can say that arrogance is a word that has always been connected with white people, whom are people who do make up quite a bit of this country, and that's supposed to be acceptable, but the minute someone says something about the precious members of Government they want to get up in arms. You have to wonder whose best interest the PLP really has at heart when it comes to their governing.

COUNTING THE MISTAKES Pembroke Hiring non-Bermudians April 2, 2000 Dear Sir, Having had long experience (35 years) in employing staff for hotels, (primarily the Inverurie, and also Belmont, the St. George Hotel and Cambridge Beaches), the onus is on the employer to assure the opportunity of employment for Bermudians.

The problem arises when after advertising, the employer must confirm to Immigration that no qualified Bermudians have applied. However, the Immigration Department should quickly approve a non-Bermudian to fill the vacancy, but too often unreasonable and costly delays occur.

To further ensure qualified Bermudians who are either unemployed or presently have a position and are looking for an alternative opportunity they should be required to register with the Immigration Department so that Immigration can verify from the list of applicants that there are or are not qualified Bermudians to fill any particular position.

This procedure should allow the Immigration Department to quickly approve or reject an application for a non-Bermudian.

CONRAD ENGELHARDT