Premier Smith has spoken! She told the Bermuda Sun that the Government is "doing marvellously''.

She has neglected to tell anyone her reasons for thinking that.

WATCHING Paget A note on Jazz Fest October 20, 1999 Dear Sir, The following letter was copied to the Department of Tourism's manager of promotional services, Deanna Wade, as well as to the Minister of Tourism, David Allen, MP, JP.

Dear Sir, On Saturday, October 16th I had the pleasure of attending our annual `Bermuda Jazz Festival' at Dockyard, and what an extreme pleasure it was to have been there! The atmosphere was great, the people were great, and of course the music was great! However, it is always good to perform a `post mortem' so to speak, of this fine event to see if we can make it even better for next year.

I will attempt to accentuate my concerns, in a point by point format as follows: Music/Performers The variety of music and performers, I thought was good. The duration and delivery of each performer was done in a very professional and timely manner, as well as they connected with the listeners.

I was very proud of all our local entertainers, they were fantastic! The MC/Host I was in attendance on Saturday night only, therefore I will reserve my comments for that night. Mr. Derrick (CJ) Symonds, did a fantastic job, as was to be expected.

He is always knowledgeable of each performer and their music, plus he combines humour and information in his unique, smooth way, which apparently is appreciated by all.

Producer I believe the present producer of this year's Jazz Festival did a fastantic job, congratulations need to be extended to Mr. Lee Heiman of `Track Entertainment' and his staff.

We recognise that as a producer even he is limited in what he can accomplish from one jurisdiction to the next.

The Venue Even though the Jazz Festival was fantastic, I believe that obviously the festival is continuously growing each year.

Therefore, consideration must be given in choosing a more suitable venue. The festival has out grown its present location! There were problems with parking, problems with food stalls and obvious problems with everyone being able to see the performers on stage.

I was seated in the reserved area toward the back, and myself and others including visitors to the Island found it almost impossible to see the stage due to it being so low -- it needed to be elevated at least another six feet higher for all to see.

My suggestions for possible new locations are as follows: (a) Kindley Field in St. George's, just inside the former US base. That area is flat and spread out and there is plenty area for parking. (b) Clearwater Beach is the next obvious location which offers again, open space, tremendous parking areas, no neighbours to disturb and there will not be a problem of anyone not being able to see the stage and performers.

After festival party Saturday night's performance ended at about 11.30 p.m. or thereabouts, so many Bermudians -- as well as tourists to the Island -- were looking for somewhere else to party! Perhaps some consideration can be given to this point as well. Bermuda has a reputation abroad that everything closes down right around midnight, even on weekends! This and other comments I've heard visitors mention, therefore, a local hotel can perhaps host an `after festival party' where locals, as well as tourists can interact and socialise to end a good evening.

Attracting Stars The Bermuda Jazz Festival has proven itself a force to be reckoned with and to this point we have attracted some pretty big names in show business.

I believe however that we can place ourselves at an even greater position in this arena if we were to secure names such as: Kenny G, Nagee', Grover Washington, Earl Klugh, Sade (prounced Sha-dee), Kirk Wayland, Bob James and `Fourplay', Chuck Mangione to name a few. These names mentioned represent some of the most successful, contemporary jazz artists today who guarantee to please all listeners.

Incidentally, if any of you reading this letter happen to have missed the Chuck Mangione concert recently at the Ruth Seaton Auditorium, well you did miss a phenomenal performance.

The above comments I have gathered from listening, as well as talking to others who have attended jazz festivals here locally, as well as those abroad, with the combined interest and desire of making Bermuda Jazz Festival the envy of other destinations.

Bob S. Smith Warwick Roads are getting worse October 13, 1999 Dear Sir, Thank you for the space. Today, as I drove west on Middle Road in the very hard rain, I saw many cyclists in a hurry to cause an accident.

I say cause an accident because they chose not to give way to oncoming traffic which, in my case, had to swerve quite often to avoid a collision.

I would like to know if the minds of some individuals warp in certain conditions. It has been a great concern of mine for many years, as I watch very poor driving practices during rain. Today was no exception. But I think, with the increasing traffic, it is getting worse.

The Police have to step in and take control by issuing tickets that would result in a fine. This may not be the full problem-solver, but I think it will cause some cyclists to at least exercise more commonsense.

The cyclists who over take on yellow lines (dangerous driving) dodge in and out of the traffic and cuss at drivers who choose not to give way, and then to each stop light -- particularly in Paget -- they surround the car which is at the front of the line.

One morning, while I drove from that light, a cyclist overtook me. In doing so, the tennis racquet that was protruding from his rear basket, struck my mirror. I took the licence number of the cycle and reported the incident to the Police.

The Police found the rider and he promptly apologised. Quite frankly, I felt that the Police should have charged the rider with either dangerous driving or "due care''. After all, the incident did take place on a yellow line.

There are several problems on the roads of Bermuda and the driving is getting worse. Those drivers who are taught to drive near the centre line are taught poorly from the start. When those drivers travel on a road that has no centre line, they invariably drive in the middle -- which is another danger.

If drivers were taught to make judgments from the left-hand side of the road, they would always be on the left. I was taught this way and, in reality, that centre line does not exist for me, because I stay with the consistency of the left side. That is always there! If anyone is interested, take a look at the many curves with yellow lines (if you can find one). The lines are worn by drivers cutting the corners and, in many cases, I have had to brake to avoid getting hit.

Of course, I am not the only driver that encounters these bad drivers each day, but I choose to bring it to the forefront.

You guilty drivers who are breaking the laws and putting other drivers in jeopardy must remember: Caution -- exercise good thoughts.

Care -- exercise proper driving.

Carefully -- exercise good sense and respect for the other driver. He could be you.

WENDELL HASSELL Sandy's Parish Send them packing October 20, 1999 Dear Sir, With reference to the two Americans jailed for credit card fraud.

I feel it is best to turn them over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

They are highly skilled in their chosen field, and they tolerate no nonsense.

Why should we have to clothe, feed, and shelter these two with our tax dollars.

The FBI want them -- turn them over. We really don't need them in our backyard. I guarantee you, they will take care of business the old fashioned way! Another concern that I have is the young lady. If she is pregnant and gives birth to that child in Bermuda. Does that mean: It is a prison baby or a Bermudian? Or a child who can claim dual citizenship? OBSERVER Southampton