On the August 18th this year we were implored by two senior members of the New Bermuda Government to express our views on two proposals which they laid before us. The future of Long Term Residents (LTR) and proposed Constitutional changes.

As to the former, the Minister in charge tried her best along with a myriad of other personalities to attempt a public discussion. Sadly, far more heat than light was produced in what turned out to be nothing more than a soap box for the extreme left wing of the PLP and other would be politicos to have their 15 minutes (or was it five minutes) each. This is the second time that we have been entreated to the awesome display of xenophobic reality possessed by the most senior members of the Government and the PLP et al for which, in fairness, they are trying to find a cure.

I had previously remarked, in another letter, that the charade that was about to be unfolded by the Green Paper discussions was nothing more than a divergent for the real issue. This was to grab as much power while the people were pre-occupied with matters that their input would be sought but not heeded. If anyone is still in doubt wait for the White Paper and watch what is about to unfold with the second proposal.

The proposed Constitutional Changes under the sole authorship of the Premier, ask any Cabinet Minister, have been waiting patiently on the sidelines for the reconvening of Parliament. Whilst the author has been out attending to personal matters at taxpayers' expense, even to the point of disappearing completely from the radar screen, we the public have been waiting for some explanation as to the reasons why such changes are required. It would appear that external matters (i.e. cocktail sets, funerals; and overseas medical check-ups) carry for more importance than speaking to the people of Bermuda.

Those of your readers who have not seen the document and that is understandable, because it was only circulated to the very few (no money left for printing, you see), its proposed amendments can be summarised as follows: o Change the name of the Auditor to `Auditor General' o Allow foreigners to serve in the Bermuda Parliament.

o Give every Bermudian a new title -- that of Commonwealth Citizen o Hire a foreign expert and give him/her a title that no one can pronounce, Ombudsman, and have the taxpayers pay for it -- and make him/her answerable to no one.

o Set up a Boundaries commission to establish whether or not you need representation and how much representation. Again, elected by no-one and accountable to no-one.

Now one could clearly understand why after producing such proposals one would like to hide from the sunshine of public scrutiny. These are not the people's proposals. These are not Cabinet's proposals. These are not the backbench proposals. These are not the PLP's proposal. They are certainly not the Opposition proposals. So why should our Premier express surprise at the lack of discussion by the public of these proposed changes when indeed they are of her own making and promptly after producing them did a disappearing act.

The UK Government has recently advised us that they assume that the Bermuda Government will give full and proper airing to these proposals. Well, we all know about assume. The UK expects that the people will, in some tangible way, show their concern so that they (UK) know that all is not well.

If we are about to embark upon the journey of Constitutional change I have an item that might be more germane then what I call the Auditor, like maybe `a freedom of information' amendment. That way we would really know the working of the new and old Bermuda. Silly me but that would be about sharing power not hoarding it.

Mr. Editor, you and I, the Parliamentarians and the rest of Bermuda wait with baited breath for the reconvening of Parliament. All of us I am sure would like to hear our Premier report on all the public response that was had due the diligent and caring efforts by her over the summer break in seeking the public input. I will be especially interested in the response from those members of the Government who will only be serving this one term with the PLP.

As we move toward the festive season perhaps our LTR's and certain Parliamentarians will hear again that famous line from many a Christmas play "sorry there is no room for you here.'' DAVID SULLIVAN Sandys Parish Snorkellers beware October 17, 2000 Dear Sir, This letter is in reference to the letter from `Restless Native' on Saturday 14 October. Joan Ward seemed to totally miss the point of my letter about the `Restless Native' or purposely avoided taking responsibility for their actions! Safety extends to not only people (paying customers) on your vessel, swimmers should always take priority, I've had over forty years of experience in the area. With your Captains' experience, he then knows that boats are not allowed, in Admiralty House `Cove, yet he still frequents the area. The cove is not meant for the boating public, it is for the use of swimmers. We also have novice divers in the area. Many beaches, Shelly Bay, Horseshoe Bay, elbow Beach, to name a few, do not let boats beach for this same reason.

Now who is treating `Deep Bay' as their own private beach?! By encroaching on and disregarding people already there ahead of you. The point is , now pay attention this time, Restless Native endanger swimmers and anyone else in their path, if we don't move out of it's way! I have snorkelled the whole of the Great Sound. There are many islands that are shallow and have fantastic snorkelling areas. Certainly better than Deep Bay. But that is not the point, showing respect and courtesy to others on the water when visiting such places is.

I also could toot my own horn and give you a list of the good I've done (that does not directly affect my business). But you know it's completely irrelevant isn't it?! Please. Stop skirting around the issue.

WATCH OUT FOR THE NATIVE! Pembroke Take a wider view October 16, 2000 Dear Sir, Surprise that David Dodwell of the UBP would go after the throat of David Allen for his travels.

On several occasions under the UBP, I met with several people involved with the tourism industry and encouraged them to shift their targets past the eastern seaboard of the United States. I suggested to them that the trip from the midwest, particularly Cleveland, Ohio was no major problem and that they might consider directing their advertising and PR efforts toward that region.

The suggestions were made in recognition of the major campaigns that we in the Midwest were being hit with concerning destinations in the Bahamas. Trips that were advertized at a low price to include airfare and hotel.

Shortly before I met with C.V. (Jim) Woolridge, I observed a meeting in Cleveland that was directed to tour directors and travel agents. Although a Bermuda table had been set up, all evening long there was no one at the table.

A Ms Ming from the Chicago office was suposed to be there but was never visible.

The basic lesson is that until Bermuda's tourism people accept the idea that there are potential visitors west of the East Coast of the United States, they are going to fail.

Next weekend there is to be a Travel/Tourism event here in Cleveland.

If the booth is empty and there is no one there to tell me the ingredients of a Dark'n'Stormy, I will be very happy and busy telling Midwesterner Bermuda does not want them to come for a visit.

St.Louis and TWA is about to fail for lack of follow-up. Atlanta is about to become a flop.

Woolridge, Dodwell and now Allen have not recognised there are people who might want to visit Bermuda who do not live in Boston, New York or Atlanta.

Nuff said.

BIFF COLE Lakewood, Ohio Storing up trouble October 16, 2000 Dear Sir, We have had a lot of talk about attitudes in Bermuda, and its not good for us, especially in shops towards our tourists. I can vouch for that.

As a local I had the pleasure of taking a couple from the US to St. George's where we visited several shops. It was Saturday October 14 and as you know it rained.

Most shops had a smile and their attention except Triminghams Gift Shop! Those two women had a very indifferent attitude. Nobody said "can I help you'' they were too busy putting stock away and pricing chocolates. My tourist friend asked for information on something in the shop and the reply "I wouldn't know'' and back to pricing chocolates. There was only one customer in the shops at that time.

They would have bought something had they had a smile or encouragement so we left. Have these ladies had a customer service training from the main shop? A LOCAL Devonshire