Please permit me to air the following. The recent announcement by the British Government that the Overseas Territories Bill will not fall for consideration within the current Parliamentary time table coupled, with the time taken discussing constitutional reforms locally, I am becoming concerned that Independence is beginning to elude us. The Progressive Labour Party (PLP) should know and must know that much ground work is needed before an approach can be made to the British government. And if certain prerequisites are not put in place, Independence will not be sanctioned. My major concern at the moment has to do with long term residents (LTRs). There is no doubt in my mind that the LTRs must be dealt with in a timely manner so that by the time the Independence request is made, there is some semblance of settlement. The lessons learned at the time of Bahamas Independence cannot be repeated. It will be remembered that at that time, many persons, who by analogy fell into the category of our LTRs, were not dealt with honourably. There is zero chance that any British Government will agree to any such thing happening again, bearing in mind that a significant number (though not all) of the LTRs are of English/European descent. It is true the PLP did not create this situation.

However, a successive government cannot ignore obligations on the premise that those obligations were created by its predecessor.

I disagree with many fellow Bermudians regarding how the LTRs should be dealt with once and for all. In my opinion, it is difficult to sustain the argument that an individual who has met the criteria following the cut-off point in 1989 and was of good character throughout, should not be granted some form of status even if some restrictions are imposed. There is no guarantee that a restrictive form of status would muster approval in international law but at least it is a starting point. In all of these cases, the individual would have spent a minimum 20 years in this country, and in many cases much longer than that. The argument that the grant of status to these guests would take away the birthright of Bermudians ignore the reality that many of them have given their youth to this country and have been resident here all this time. We are not talking about an influx of hundreds of persons. Furthermore, this matter could be dealt with easier if we act soon. It may also avoid the cost and hassle of having to hold two elections within the next five years.

Unfortunately, we Bermudians tend to get bogged down in triviality and distracted by things superficial. The grant of status to the relatively small number of LTRs is a minuscule and insignificant issue when compared with Independence.

We seem not to have noticed that the entire world is getting more cosmopolitan. As a personal example, my son has been living in somewhere in Italy for the past three months setting up some elaborate computer network systems for some international company. It is unlikely he will return to Bermuda permanently in the near future. My point is that the world is moving rapidly to the point where labour (Bermudians included) will migrate to areas where their skills are needed.

It is also worth remembering that if Independence is forced upon us it will come at a price. On the other hand, if three or four years from now the issue of LTRs becomes a sticking point we are going to look rather silly trying to maintain our position, and in all probability, the country will become the focus of adverse attention from around the world. We will all sound very primitive arguing that persons who have lived here for 25 years do not deserve to have their stay regularised.

In view of the expanding activist position adopted by the EU within the past few years it is very unlikely that it would take kindly to immigrants to one its member's colonies being deprived of what they are or may be entitled to morally and/or under international law.

Now that the passions are cooled on the LTRs it is time for Bermuda to rise above local politics and established itself on the world stage. Bermuda must deal with the macro issues and move ahead.

I am therefore urging the PLP to move swiftly on the issue of LTRs. Mark my words, `if this issue is not dealt with prior to the next election, it is unlikely that we will ever get Independence on our terms'.

Many Bermudians have gone now who hoped, wished and believed that they would see Independence in their lifetime. Come on PLP; do not disappoint another generation.

ALLAN LEON DILL Pembroke Help was appreciated December 8, 2000 Dear Sir, On behalf of The Family Learning Centre, I would like to thank all those who helped make our recent 6K Children's Walk-a-thon such a success. I would particularly like to pay tribute to those who took part in the Walk and the many people who sponsored them, as well as the dozens of volunteers involved in the organisation of the event. This initiative would have been impossible without the financial support of the corporate community. The following excelled in their generosity and assistance, and I should like to extend my heartfelt thanks to them: The Bank of Bermuda, Barritt's, The Bermuda Bakery, Bermuda Creamery, Bouquet Gatni, Butterfield & Vallis, The Cake Shop, D&J Construction, Fidelity Investments, HWP, Island Press, KFC, The Marketplace Stores, Miles Market, The Phoenix Stores, The Physical Abuse Centre, Tiffany's 24-7, and Zaki's Bakery, and the Inter Agency Committee for Children and Families.

The Royal Gazette 's coverage of our activities helped us to reach out to the community as never before and broaden understanding and appreciation of the work we do with children experiencing social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. The programme we offer is unique, comprehensive and coordinated largely on a one-on-one basis with the children and their family members, by a team of highly qualified staff: our aim is to achieve long-term solutions which will be of lasting benefit to Bermuda's community. for these reasons, fund raising efforts are always a priority for us.

Those I have mentioned are just a few of the companies and individuals to have contributed to our work during the past twelve months. I would like to extend thanks and offer greetings for the holiday season to everyone who has helped us in any way to make a difference in the lives of some of Bermuda's most vulnerable children.

MARTHA A. DISMONT Executive Director The Family Learning Centre I still like what I see November 30, 2000 Dear Sir, The present day PLP parliamentarians are honouring the early members who withstood much inconvenience so that the party could get where it is today. To those who have the torch now I say press on you are being observed and praised.

The question of respect and deference for our parliamentarians should be answered in favour of them, particularly Cabinet Members. This means we would be continuing the trend we had until 9 November 1998. Until that time by far most parliamentarians were accorded respect whether it was earned or not. I think it is not to go rationalising about earning respect for our duly elected leaders as if they are laying down on the job and not pulling their weight. I would not be surprised if a move was made to strip them of the title of `the Honourable'. Incidentally they are pulling their weight.

It is well past time that those who voted in this Government and still have confidence in them like myself come out with further support by letters to the press or talk shows anomalously or by personal signing instead of talking quietly and secretly in the Government's favour. There are many who have benefited because of this Government. This is not the time to just exist while it seems fashionable to criticise them.

ROSS TUZO Warwick Confused by maths Dear Sir, Like many, I was somewhat alarmed at the numbers reported by "Counting Sheep...Again'' in your letters to the Editor today. After taking pause though, I really tried to understand what are the basic premises of the math behind his/her results. Having analysed the 1998 election results deeply, I can report that the method used is more misleading than the writer probably imagines. Just to remind readers, the methodology used to break down our pending constitutional changes resulted in a figure of 26 percent required to win a general election.

Looking at the actual 1998 electoral results, out of a total of 72,146 registered number of votes, 55,946 were actually cast. Using the same line of reasoning, the PLP needed 18,982 votes to win the 26 seats it gained; the UBP needed 8,744 votes to win the 14 seats it gained. Compared to actual votes cast, the PLP only had to get 34 percent of votes cast to earn 65 percent of the seats in the House; likewise the UBP only had to obtain 16 percent of votes cast to get 35 percent of the seats in the House. Comparing these numbers against the total potential number of registered votes, the PLP only need 26 percent of potential registered votes to get 65 percent of the seats; likewise, the UBP only needed 12 percent of the vote to get 35 percent of the seats.

What this shows you is that under the present system 26 percent can bring 65 percent of the seats, whereas under the new system 26 percent will only allow you to break 50 percent. The net result is that the difference between the percentage of votes obtained and percentage of seats actually earned is smaller under the new system. I do believe that this would make it more fair.

Nevertheless, I think that such an analysis is equally frivolous in the context of an actual election and likewise should be dismissed.

WATCHFUL EYE Sandys Parish Letter was too late December 2, 2000 Dear Sir, Today my husband and I each received a letter (December 7) from the Premier of Bermuda, the Honourable Jennifer M. Smith. The envelope was not franked so we cannot say when it was dispatched or how delivery was effected, but the letter itself was dated November 10, 2000. These two letters were identical and referred to the desire of our Premier quote "to ensure that each one of you is fully informed of the constitutional changes being promoted by Government'', there were also further pages entitled Constitutional Modernisation Check List, Notice of Motion and Amendments to the Bermuda Constitution. There were further paragraphs in the actual letter but it was the last paragraph which attracted our attention the most and we quote "In closing, I invite you to make sure that your Member of Parliament represents your views when the motion for Constitutional change comes up for debate.'' As you all know, by the time these letters were received the debate on the Motion for Constitutional changes was long over and finished.

MR. & MRS. R.C. YOUNG It's good to talk but... December 6, 2000 Dear Sir, I extend my best wishes for success to the effort underway to bring the issue of race out in the open. I hope that the panelists can speak for most Bermudians so that the majority of the critical points are brought out. I also hope that this is the first of however many sessions it takes to help resolve this most serious subject. As I (sadly) will not be there, and therefore unable to participate, permit me to offer some of my thoughts. First, I think the problem of race in Bermuda is a historical problem, i.e., it used to exist; it was terrible; but today it is not there. What is there, and what needs to be addressed is the subject of behaviour. Today's citizens do not treat each other with proper respect that we owe one another. This has absolutely nothing to do with black or white. What Bermuda needs to do is to be able to judge behaviour, without considering the race of the subject. I think the laws, the schools, the businesses, all are now treating everyone the same, regardless of race. Let's work on the people to treat each other as they would like to be treated, as we were taught by our parents and grandparents.

JOE LINDO Wilmington, Delaware A job well done Dear Sir, Allow me time and space to congratulate the founders of Home Grown Alternatives (Christine Wellman and Mary Tatem) for yet another successful and truly exciting and educational shopping experience! Those of you who missed HGA in St. George's this past Saturday, December 2, 2000 missed an event of a lifetime! Thank you HGA for highlighting, that things of quality and substance can be produced in Bermuda and appreciated by those of us who live and work here. I truly appreciate the opportunity to buy my hand-made Christmas gifts which I take away Stateside every year.

A refreshing touch this year was the "Dockyard Cats'' table with proceeds going towards the Bermuda Feline Assistance Bureau (registered charity). More power to you all for another job well done! DONNA HINDS In praise of the Minister December 8, 2000 Dear Sir, Please allow me time through your very busy newspaper to praise Minister Paula Cox for a fine speech that she gave at the Fairmont, Hamilton Princess.

She grabbed and held her audience from the beginning to the end.

I always enjoy listening to this young lady speak. Many Bermudians feel that she speaks well and carries herself in a very professional manner.

1. The minister's diction is excellent -- every word well spoken.

2. Her focused, powerful, serene eyes -- represent a long term vision for a better Bermuda - Sincerity.

3. Her pleasant smile - represents a lady with a warm heart.

4. Her bold facial expressions - represents - I mean business - I'm not here to play around with you. Lets get things moving.

5. Her speeches -- you won't forget them anytime soon.

6. Her body language -- sends out a silent powerful message, don't let my size fool you. She is not afraid to get involved.

7. Her wisdom -- she is her father's own.

Take Care.

Minister Paula Cox -- you are doing a good job! OBSERVER Southampton Senator gets it wrong December 8, 2000 Dear Sir, I listened in disgust to Sen. David Burch's vile remarks in this week's Senate debate on Constitutional change. While I respect democracy the attendant respect for every person's view, Sen. Burch breached basic standards of decency in public service. Sen. Burch represents the government of this country and as such represents each and every one of us regardless of how we voted. I, like many, demand higher standards for the men and women that serve this great country.

Various government officials have been demanding respect because of their position. I suspect many of Sen. Burch and Minister Webb's government colleagues are beginning to realise that this respect will be long awaited in the absence of reining in certain members.

ROBIN HAMILL Hamilton Parish